Ubuntu Security :: IPTables - Setting Default Rules To All Chains As DROP

I've read the instruction about setting up the iptables rules to filter all port except HTTP, SSH, FTP. I require first remove all default iptables rules and set default rules to all chains as DROP:
# Set default-deny policies for all three default chains
$IPTABLES -P INPUT DROP
$IPTABLES -P FORWARD DROP
$IPTABLES -P OUTPUT DROP

Then allow only some ports:
#Accept inbound packets that are part of previously-OK'ed sessions
$IPTABLES -A INPUT -j ACCEPT -m state --state ESTABLISHED,RELATED
# Accept inbound packets which initiate SSH sessions
$IPTABLES -A INPUT -p tcp -j ACCEPT --dport 22 -m state --state NEW
# Accept inbound packets which initiate FTP sessions
$IPTABLES -A INPUT -p tcp -j ACCEPT --dport 21 -m state --state NEW
# Accept inbound packets which initiate HTTP sessions
$IPTABLES -A INPUT -p tcp -j ACCEPT --dport 80 -m state --state NEW
# Log anything not accepted above $IPTABLES -A INPUT -j LOG --log-prefix "Dropped by default:"

But I hired a VPS from other country so the only mean I can manage it is via SSH. If I setup the default rule to DROP first, I afraid that I can no longer connect via SSH to tell iptables allow SSH
So my question is:
- Does the IP tables take effect immediately after I input a rule?
- Is there any mean to run this as a batch job (create a script and run all these rules one time).
- My VPS has a web control panel which have a terminal via web. Is this a native terminal or just a connection via port 80 or 22?