Heavenly Gifts and Heavenly Protection

Q. How does the glory of Christ our Head, benefit us?

A. First, by His Holy Spirit He pours out heavenly gifts upon us, His members.

Acts 2:33

Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Ephesians 4:7-12

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”
Now this, “He ascended”; what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ….

Second, by His power He defends and preserves us against all enemies.

Psalm 2:9

You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Psalm 110:1,2

The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!

John 10:27-30

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
I and My Father are one.”

Revelation 19:11-16

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

The Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 19

Commonplaces