THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST
Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 28
Q.28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

A. Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in his ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

EXPLICATION.

Ascending into heaven. –Going up to heaven, or returning to “that glory which Christ had with the Father before the world was.”

Sitting at the right hand of God. –Being raised to the highest place of honor and dignity in the heavenly state, and having power over all things given to him by God the Father.

To judge the world. –To try all mankind, and to reward the good, and to punish the wicked, “according to their works.”

ANALYSIS.

The steps of Christ’s exaltation, stated in this answer, are four in number :

1. His rising from the dead, on the third day. –1 Cor. xv. 4. He was buried, and rose again the third day.
2. His ascending up into heaven. –Mark xvi. 19. So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven.
3. His taking his seat at the right hand of God the Father –Mark xvi. 19. He sat on the right hand of God. Eph. i. 20. He set him at his own right hand, in the heavenly places.
4. His coming to judge the world at the last day. –Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that Man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.