had
previously silenced the Pharisees with these same words, asking them
to explain how David could speak of Messiah as "my Lord" (S. Matt.
xxii. 44; S. Mark xii. 36; S. Luke xx. 42), when He was to be the Son
of David, we can see that the importance of this passage is very
great. And that for two reasons. First, as testifying that Christ
should be no mere human descendant of David, because David calls Him
Lord; and, secondly, as foretelling the Ascension of Christ to the
Throne at God's right hand. And not only do all the three first
Gospels record the use which He made of this verse to silence the
Jews; but we find also that S. Peter on the day of Pentecost, and also
S. Paul in his Epistles to the Corinthians and to the Hebrews (Acts
ii. 34; 1 Cor. xv. 25; Heb. i. 13, x. 13), quoted it in support of
their arguments that our Lord was exalted to His Throne. The Apostles
argued in this way; David had thus clearly foretold the Ascension of
Christ, and that His Ascension would be to the Throne of power, at the
right hand of God. Therefore, inasmuch as He had ascended into Heaven,
His Ascension was clearly the fulfilment of the prophecy, in order
that He might make His solemn entry upon His kingly office, and be
seated on His Throne. The Ascension was the last crowning proof that
Jesus was Messiah--the King of the house of David--the "Priest for
ever after the order of Melchisedek" (Ps. cx. 4), that is, "King of
Righteousness" and "King of Peace" (Heb. vii. 2).

In other words, the Apostles maintained that the Ascension of our Lord
was the act whereby He ascended the Throne of "The Kingdom of Heaven,"
the Mediatorial Kingdom of Messiah. And this is the testimony which
they have given under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. God "raised
Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly
places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but
also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church" (Ephes. i.
20-22). And we are assured that the Ascension of our Saviour, the Lord
Jesus Christ, implied that He has won the right of sovereignty over
all the world; and that all mankind are summoned to bow before Him,
and accept Him as their King. For, because "He humbled Himself and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross," therefore
"God also hath hi