The Glorious Return of Christ: Exalted as Judge of the World

When we consider the majesty of Jesus Christ, our minds must inevitably be drawn to the manifold ways He is exalted—His incarnation, His perfect life, His atoning death, His triumphant resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His ongoing intercession as our Great High Priest. Yet, there remains a future event, radiant with divine glory, that will consummate His exaltation, our hope: His second coming to judge the world. The Westminster Larger Catechism, in its 56th question, beautifully captures this truth: “How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?” The answer resounds with hope and awe: “Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great power, and in the full manifestation of his own glory and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, to judge the world in righteousness.” Let us delve deeply into this profound truth, meditating on the Scriptures and the hope they inspire for believers awaiting their King.

The One Unjustly Judged Returns in Power

The Catechism begins by pointing to the great reversal of Christ’s second coming. He who was “unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men” will return as the righteous Judge. In His first coming, Jesus, “the Holy and Righteous One” (Acts 3:14), was rejected by those He came to save. He was falsely accused, mocked, and crucified by sinful hands, the “Author of life” put to death (Acts 3:15). However, this injustice was not the end of His story. The cross, though a place of humiliation, was the very means by which He secured redemption for His people. Now, exalted through His resurrection and ascension, Christ will return not as a suffering servant but as a conquering King, clothed in “great power” and “the full manifestation of his own glory and of his Father’s.”

This truth stirs the heart of every believer. The One who was despised will be revealed as the sovereign Lord. No longer veiled in humility, Christ’s return will display His divine authority and majesty, vindicating His name before all creation. Those who rejected Him will see Him as He truly is, and every knee will bow.

The Glory of His Coming

The Catechism describes Christ’s return with vivid imagery: He comes “with all his holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” This is no quiet or secret event but a cosmic declaration of His lordship. Scripture paints this scene with breathtaking clarity. In Matthew 25:31, Jesus Himself teaches, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.” The angels, who serve as His heavenly retinue, accompany Him, signifying the magnitude of His authority. Luke 9:26 adds, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Here, we see the unity of Christ’s glory with that of the Father, a shared splendor that reveals His deity.

The “shout,” “voice of the archangel,” and “trumpet of God” further amplify the grandeur of this moment. First Thessalonians 4:16 proclaims, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” This is a summons that cannot be ignored. The trumpet blast, reminiscent of God’s presence at Sinai, signals the arrival of the King who will awaken the dead and gather His people. It is a moment of triumph, where Christ’s exaltation, already begun in His ascension and session at God’s right hand, reaches its climax.

As noted in a previous post on Christ’s ascension (The Exaltation of Christ in His Ascension: A Glorious Triumph), His ascent to heaven was a foretaste of this final triumph. There, He was received into glory, crowned with honor, and seated at the Father’s right hand. Yet, His second coming will fully unveil that glory to the world, leaving no doubt of His sovereignty.

Christ The Righteous Judge of All the Earth

Central to Christ’s exaltation in His return is His role as the righteous Judge. The Catechism states that He will “judge the world in righteousness,” a truth grounded in Acts 17:31: “Because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” The resurrection of Christ is God’s public declaration that Jesus is the appointed Judge. Unlike the unjust judgments of Pilate or the Sanhedrin, Christ’s judgment will be perfectly just, rooted in His infinite wisdom, knowledge, and holiness.

This aspect of Christ’s exaltation brings both comfort and sobriety. For believers, it is a source of hope. As the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith affirms, Christ’s return will bring the final redemption of His people, who will be “openly acknowledged and acquitted” before the throne (Chapter 32). Those who have trusted in Christ’s atoning work, who rest in His intercession as their Great High Priest, can stand confidently before Him, clothed in His righteousness. The Judge is also their Savior, who has borne their sins and secured their salvation.

Yet, for those who reject Him, this day will be one of mourning. Christ’s righteous judgment will expose every deed, thought, and motive. No sin will be hidden, and no excuse will stand before His piercing gaze. This reality calls us to examine our hearts and to proclaim the gospel to a world in need of grace. The same Jesus who will return as Judge offers mercy today to all who repent and believe.

Christ’s Exaltation and Our Hope

The Catechism’s focus on Christ’s second coming directs our hearts to the hope of His exaltation. As believers, we live in the tension of the already and not yet. Christ is already exalted, seated at the right hand of God, reigning as King and interceding for His people. Yet, the full manifestation of His glory awaits His return. This hope shapes how we live today.

First, it calls us to worship. The One who will return in glory is worthy of our adoration now. Every glimpse of His majesty in Scripture fuels our praise and deepens our love for Him. As we meditate on His coming, we are reminded that our Savior is no mere man but the King of kings, whose glory fills the heavens.

Second, it inspires holiness. Knowing that Christ will judge the world in righteousness urges us to live lives that reflect His character. The 1689 Confession reminds us that the certainty of His return “requires all persons to endeavor to be found in peace, without spot, and blameless” (Chapter 32). The prospect of standing before our Judge compels us to flee sin and pursue godliness, trusting in His grace to sanctify us.

Third, it fuels our mission. The reality of Christ’s return is not meant to be hoarded but proclaimed. The world must hear that the One who was crucified is coming again, not in weakness but in power. As those who have been reconciled to God through Christ, we are ambassadors of His gospel, calling others to repentance and faith before the day of judgment arrives.

Conclusion: Looking to the Day of His Glory

The exaltation of Christ in His second coming is the crescendo of His redemptive work. He who was unjustly condemned will return in unparalleled glory, accompanied by His holy angels, heralded by the trumpet of God, to judge the world in righteousness. This truth anchors our hope, stirs our worship, and shapes our lives. As we await that glorious day, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who has ascended, who intercedes, and who will return to make all things new.

May we echo the prayer of the early church: “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20). And as we wait, may we live faithfully, proclaiming His name and resting in the assurance that our Savior, the righteous Judge, will return to be exalted forever. Let us hold fast to this hope, knowing that the One who was crucified for us will come again in glory, to the praise of His name and the joy of His people.

Soli Deo Gloria