What Is The Final Stage Of Christ's Exaltation

What is the Final Stage of Christ's Exaltation?

The exaltation of Christ, his ascension to glory and power after his crucifixion and resurrection, is a cornerstone of Christian theology. Understanding its entirety requires exploring not just the event of the ascension itself, but the ongoing, multifaceted reality of Christ's reign. While the ascension is often pinpointed as a pivotal moment, the final stage of Christ's exaltation is less clearly defined, prompting diverse interpretations across different theological traditions. This exploration delves into the complexities of this topic, examining various perspectives and ultimately proposing a comprehensive understanding of the final, ongoing stage of Christ's exaltation.

The Ascension: A Crucial, but Not Final, Step

The ascension of Christ, typically understood as his bodily ascent into heaven forty days after his resurrection (Acts 1:9-11), is a crucial turning point. It marks the visible completion of his earthly ministry and the commencement of his heavenly reign. However, it is not the final stage of his exaltation. The ascension signifies a transition, a movement from a localized earthly ministry to a universal heavenly reign. This shift is pivotal, but the full unfolding of that reign continues beyond this initial event.

Significance of the Ascension:

• Completion of the Atonement: The ascension signifies the completion of Christ's atoning work. His sacrifice on the cross, followed by his resurrection, is validated and finalized through his ascent to the Father. This validates his victory over sin and death.
• Investiture of Power: The ascension is depicted as an investiture of power and authority. Christ receives all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18), indicating his ultimate sovereignty.
• Initiation of the Spirit's Work: The ascension is intimately linked to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), empowering the church to continue Christ's mission on earth. This indicates the commencement of the global spread of the Gospel.
• High Priestly Ministry: The ascension establishes Christ as the ultimate High Priest, interceding for his people before the Father (Hebrews 7-10). This ongoing intercession is a vital aspect of his continued ministry.

Beyond the Ascension: The Ongoing Exaltation

The ascension is a significant milestone, but it's not the end of the story. Christ's exaltation is a process, a dynamic unfolding of his glory and power that continues into eternity. The final stage, therefore, isn't a singular event but an ongoing reality with various aspects:

1. The Reign of Christ: Universal Sovereignty and Judgment

This aspect focuses on Christ's kingship and ultimate authority over all creation. His reign is not merely a temporal concept; it encompasses all of history and eternity. This includes:

• Cosmic Lordship: Christ’s dominion extends to the entire cosmos. He is Lord of all creation, ruling over all things, both visible and invisible (Colossians 1:15-20).
• Universal Judgment: A central component of Christ's reign is the final judgment (John 5:22; Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:11-15). He will judge the living and the dead, dispensing justice and eternal destiny.
• Conquest of Evil: Christ's reign includes the ultimate defeat of evil, sin, and death. While the struggle against these forces continues on earth, Christ’s victory ensures their eventual and complete annihilation.

2. The Building of the Kingdom of God: Eschatological Fulfillment

The ongoing exaltation of Christ is intimately linked to the progressive realization of God's kingdom on earth. This involves:

• Transformation of Creation: This aspect highlights the future restoration and renewal of creation (Romans 8:19-23; Revelation 21-22). The current state of brokenness will be replaced by a perfected and glorified creation.
• The Church as the Kingdom's Presence: The church is understood as the present foretaste and anticipation of the kingdom. Its growth, holiness, and mission are integral to the ongoing unfolding of God’s reign.
• Eternal Life and Communion: The final stage includes the ultimate realization of eternal life, characterized by perfect communion with God and fellowship among believers.

3. The Second Coming and Parousia: The Climax of Exaltation

The second coming of Christ, often referred to as the Parousia, is a pivotal event within the larger context of his exaltation. It represents the culmination of his reign and the definitive establishment of his kingdom. This involves:

• Visible Return: Christ will return visibly and tangibly, making his presence manifest to all creation.
• Resurrection of the Dead: The second coming is associated with the resurrection of the dead, both the righteous and the wicked (1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4).
• Universal Judgment and Final Settlement: The second coming will be followed by the final judgment, where Christ will judge the living and the dead, bringing about the ultimate resolution of history.
• New Heaven and New Earth: The second coming leads to the establishment of the new heaven and new earth, a perfected creation where God dwells with his people in eternal harmony.

Diverse Theological Perspectives on the Final Stage

Different theological traditions offer varying interpretations of the final stage of Christ's exaltation.

Eschatology: Different eschatological viewpoints, such as premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism, significantly impact the understanding of this final stage. These perspectives vary on the timing and nature of the millennium, the second coming, and the establishment of God's kingdom.

Catholic Theology: Catholic theology emphasizes the ongoing intercession of Christ as high priest and the continuity of his presence in the sacraments. The final stage is viewed as the ultimate culmination of this ongoing presence and the completion of God's plan for salvation.

Protestant Theology: Protestant traditions, while diverse, often emphasize the centrality of Christ's second coming and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth. The final stage is often viewed as a definitive moment of judgment and the consummation of God's redemptive work.

A Synthesized Understanding

Considering the diverse perspectives, a comprehensive understanding of the final stage of Christ’s exaltation might be synthesized as follows: It's not a single event but a dynamic, multifaceted process that encompasses:

1. The ongoing reign of Christ: His universal sovereignty and active rule over all creation, progressively manifesting through the working of the Holy Spirit and the growth of His church.

2. The progressive realization of the Kingdom of God: The gradual transformation of the world, both spiritually and physically, towards the ultimate fulfillment of God’s purposes.

3. The culmination in the Second Coming: The return of Christ marks the climax of his exaltation, the final judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and the inauguration of the new creation. This doesn't negate the ongoing aspects but brings them to their ultimate fulfillment.

This final stage, therefore, is not a discrete point in time but a continuous process reaching its apex in the Parousia. It's a dynamic interaction between the already and the not yet—the present reign of Christ and the future consummation of all things. This ongoing reality of Christ’s exaltation should shape the life and mission of the church, motivating believers to participate actively in the ongoing work of the Kingdom. It provides hope, purpose, and a compelling vision of God's ultimate triumph over evil and the establishment of eternal peace and justice. It is a continuous unfolding of God's glory, a story still being written, but with a definitive and glorious end already promised.