I was asked the following question: “There are scriptures that talk about Jesus seated at the right hand of God, but last session, we learnt about Him sitting on the throne—One throne. I read this in the book of Revelation, but how do you explain this?”
Let us consider the following statements: Lord Jesus is seated at the right hand of God as the Head of all rule and authority of every principality and power. Lazarus, once a pauper, was taken by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. In the above statements, we make mention of members or parts of the body such as head, hand and bosom (chest, breast, bust or heart), but do they actually refer to body parts in the context in which the scriptures use them? Or are they ways of expressing certain deeper spiritual meanings and realities—since God himself is Spirit and lives in the spirit realm?
The best way of answering the question is not to use ordinary dictionaries or even bible dictionaries or commentaries because they will not consider the specific context in which the phrase was used. It is better to allow the Holy Scriptures themselves to define what it means. I find that the Bible is the best dictionary and commentary on itself. To illuminate what “right hand” refers to in scripture, we shall consult other scriptures in the Old Covenant and the New Testament.
But first, let us look at one of the scriptures that places our Lord Jesus at the right hand.
Psa 110:1 (AMPC) A Psalm of David. THE LORD (God) says to my Lord (the Messiah), Sit at My right hand, until I make Your adversaries Your footstool. [Mat 26:64; Act 2:34; 1Co 15:25; Col 3:1; Heb 12:2]
Please note that this verse does not say right-hand SIDE—but rather right hand.
What therefore is the right hand? First, let us define a firstborn from scripture because Jesus, according to scripture, is God’s firstborn son. Before the cross, He was referred to as God’s “… only begotten Son” (Joh 3:16); however, after his great victory over death, hell and the Dragon, otherwise known as Devil or Satan, he is referred to as “the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom 8:29), and “the firstborn from the dead” (Col 1:18). “Right hand” is reserved for the firstborn. Put differently, the firstborn is given the place of the right hand by the father. What does firstborn symbolize? If we can answer this, we will know why the firstborn has this place and what “right hand” means.
WHO IS THE FIRSTBORN?
Gen 49:3 (KJV) Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Deu 21:17 (KJV) But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
Psa 105:36 (KJV) He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
The firstborn, in reference to their father, represents:
- the might of their Father
- the beginning of their Father’s strength (the chief of all His strength)
- the excellency of their Father’s dignity
- the excellency of the Father’s power
The right of the firstborn is a double portion of all that the Father has. Now do these apply to Jesus Christ our Lord as firstborn?
Col 1:18 (KJV) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Col 1:18 (AMPC) He also is the Head of [His] body, the church; seeing He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the chief place [stand first and be preeminent].
SIGNIFICANCE OF RIGHT HAND
The position of the right hand belongs to the firstborn, and this is clearly seen in the verses below:
Gen 48:13-20 (KJV)
13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.
14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.
18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
Joseph had two sons—the firstborn being Manasseh v14 and the second being Ephraim. Israel stretched his right hand, put it on the second-born grandson, and laid the left on the firstborn. His son Joseph saw this and tried to correct his Dad because he knew the significance of the right hand and how it was reserved for the firstborn v18. But his father refused and said, “his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.”
We learn from this story that the right hand is for the firstborn and is the position of greatness and blessing. It is reserved for the might of a father, the beginning of his strength (the chief of all his strength), the excellency of a father’s dignity and the excellency of the father’s power.
What else does the right hand mean?
Exo 15:6-7 (AMPC)
6 Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
7 In the greatness of Your majesty You overthrow those rising against You. You send forth Your fury; it consumes them like stubble.
The right hand is glorious in power v6. V7 reaffirms that it’s the position of greatness of majesty. It’s the position of power by which enemies are subdued, shattered and overthrown.
This is why Psa 110:1 states, "Sit at My right hand, until I make Your adversaries Your footstool." It means the position by which all your foes are subjugated. When Stephen saw Jesus at the right hand, that was a sure prophecy to the Jews persecuting him and all enemies of Christ that "In the greatness of God’s majesty God will overthrow those rising against the Son.”
What else does the right hand stand for in scripture?
Isa 41:10-12 (AMPC)
10 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. [Act 18:10]
11 Behold, all they who are enraged and inflamed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; they who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.
12 You shall seek those who contend with you but shall not find them; they who war against you shall be as nothing, as nothing at all.
Again, this verse tells us that the right hand is the place of victory, rightness (righteousness) and justice. V12 buttresses the fact that those who rise against those at the right hand are as nothing at all—absolutely defeated. Jesus loved righteousness and hated iniquity (injustice and lawlessness) so God (Godhead), has anointed Him with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond His companions Heb 1:9.
What else does the right hand refer to?
Isa 45:1-4 (AMPC)
1 THUS SAYS the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him, and I will unarm and ungird the loins of kings to open doors before him, so that gates will not be shut.
2 I will go before you and level the mountains [to make the crooked places straight]; I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron.
3 And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, Who calls you by your name.
4 For the sake of Jacob My servant, and of Israel My chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known Me.
The right hand is for those called to rulership, subjugating nations—disarming adversaries and ungirding the loins of Kings, releasing the hidden treasures. The one who gets the place of the right hand or whose right hand is upheld by God is the one the Lord goes before then, levelling all obstructions and adversaries—producing prosperity and liberty in his wake. The right hand refers to the place given to those named of God. One of the definitions of a name is authority conferred—so the right arm is a position of authority.
What else does right hand sand for?
Rev 1:16-20 (AMPC)
16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth there came forth a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full power at midday. [Exo 34:29]
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, [Isa 44:6]
18 And the Ever-living One [I am living in the eternity of the eternities]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and Hades (the realm of the dead).
19 Write therefore the things you see, what they are [and signify] and what is to take place hereafter.
20 As to the hidden meaning (the mystery) of the seven stars which you saw on My right hand and the seven lampstands of gold: the seven stars are the seven angels (messengers) of the seven assemblies (churches) and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Jesus currently owns the keys of death and hades. In his right hand or within his dominion are the seven stars, who are the seven messengers of the seven assemblies or churches.
A NAME AND MANY CROWNS
The right hand is a place of all authority, power and glory, so the occupant does not have a single crown—much like a firstborn does not just have a single portion but rather a double portion. In other words, He does not just wear one crown but many glories, honours, authorities and powers. In fact He is the head of all rule and authority.
Rev 19:12-13 (AMPC)
12 His eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on His head are many kingly crowns (diadems); and He has a title (name) inscribed which He alone knows or can understand. [Dan 10:6]
13 He is dressed in a robe dyed by dipping in blood, and the title by which He is called is The Word of God.
The Bible speaks about a “crown of righteousness” that the Lord will give (2 Tim 4:8). There is a “crown of glory” associated especially with elders who shepherd the flock of God faithfully (1 Pet 5:4), and a “crown of life” that is given to those who suffer for the sake of Christ, and especially to those who lay down their lives (Rev. 2:10).
The right hand is the place of pleasures forevermore.
Psa 16:11 (AMPC) You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. [Act 2:25-28, Act 2:31]
Pleasures have to do with that which is delightful, sweet, lovely, and agreeable.
It’s an adjective meaning pleasant, delightful. It is used of persons who are pleasing, a joy to be around. They display attitudes that please others, such as David and Jonathan (2Sa 1:23). It refers to those who are delightful to enjoy (Job 36:11; Psa 16:11); a life that has experienced good things and joy (Psa 16:6, Psa 16:11). A famous proverb illustrates the meaning of the word: brothers living together in peace, getting along with each other (Psa 133:1). The Lord's name is called pleasant (NASB, lovely) (Psa 135:3). Wise words and wisdom generate pleasantness (Pro 22:18). It describes a bridegroom as delightful, pleasing (Son 1:16).—The Complete Word Study Dictionary.
So why did God give Jesus the right hand? Because Jesus, the last Adam, unlike the first, pleased God. This is the entire subject of Php 2. His actions and attitudes, including being obedient to God up until the point of death, pleased God. He despised the shame and died, fought and won in hell and was raised. See the following verse:
Heb 12:2 (KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:2 (AMPC) Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Psa 110:1]
We are called to emulate Jesus Christ, our pattern and King-Priest in His attitudes and conduct.
When you use his name, we are using the authority of the one set at the right hand—in whom “the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]” Col 2:9 (AMPC).
Jesus Christ is the Father’s right hand man. The position at the right hand was conferred upon him because of inheritance, achievement and conquest, but that teaching is for another day.
The right hand is a special authority, a seat of Power, a seat of righteousness, a seat of Prominence and Glory. That’s what the right hand is.
