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"Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming
in the clouds of heaven" (Matt. 26: 64).
The glorious doctrine of the epistle to the Romans leads us steadily on from chapter to
chapter until we are able exultantly to answer the challenge "Who shall lay anything to
the charge of God's elect?" by replying:
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again,
Who is EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND of God, Who also maketh intercession for us"
(Rom. 8: 34).
Neither Ephesians nor Colossians could have even commenced the revelation of the
Mystery, if Christ had not been revealed as seated at the right hand of God far above all.
There are five references in Hebrews itself to the seating of the Saviour at His right hand,
and they are used to enforce certain aspects of truth that are of first importance to the
teaching of this epistle.
(1)
The first occurrence is in Heb. 1: 3, where it is placed as the climax of the work
of the Mediator, and by its association with what follows in verse 4 it is
used in the nature of a reward for the redemptive work now done.
(2)
The second occurrence is in Heb. 1: 13, where it is used to set forth the
essential contrast that exists between "The Son" and "the angels".
"But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make Thine
enemies Thy footstool?"
(3)
The third and central reference occurs in Heb. 8: 1, 2. Paul "sums up" the
teaching of the previous chapters.
"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the SUM: We have such an High Priest,
Who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the
sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man".
In this summing up the apostle adds the "heavenly sanctuary" which we must never
omit.
(4)
The fourth occurrence is in Heb. 10: 12, where it is placed in vivid contrast with
the Levitical priests who "stood" offering oftentimes the same sacrifices
which can never take away sins, whereas, the apostle continued, "This Man,
after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right
hand of God".
(5)
The last occurrence is in Heb. 12: 2 where the race is run, the shame endured
for the joy that was set before, and the Lord is once again expressed as
being "set down at the right hand of the throne of "God".
We therefore have the references to the Right Hand of God distributed thus:
A | 1: 3. As a reward, the Glory given, the work done.
B | 1: 13. As a contrast with angels who are ministering spirits.
C | 8: 1, 2. THE SUM.
B | 10: 12. As a contrast with the priests who ministered daily.
A | 12: 2. As a reward, the joy set before Him, the race run.