Is Jesus Literally Sitting at the Right Hand of God?

[Costeon]

When Jesus is said to be at or to sit at the right hand of God, is that literally true? Is he sitting on another throne next to God the Father's throne? Or, is he perhaps sitting on God's throne at his right hand? Or, is this not literal language at all since God does not have a right hand/side? Or, something else . . .

 

[public hermit]

When Jesus is said to be at or to sit at the right hand of God, is that literally true? Is he sitting on another throne next to God the Father's throne? Or, is he perhaps sitting on God's throne at his right hand? Or, is this not literal language at all since God does not have a right hand/side? Or, something else . . .

I take it as a metaphor for the authority Christ has. Well, it indicates he has both authority and access. The one who sits to the right of the king has both authority and the king's ear, so to speak. But it is a metaphor. To take it literally is too anthropomorphic and reduces the infinite, eternal, and transcendent God to human categories.

 

[Hmm]

When Jesus is said to be at or to sit at the right hand of God, is that literally true? Is he sitting on another throne next to God the Father's throne? Or, is he perhaps sitting on God's throne at his right hand? Or, is this not literal language at all since God does not have a right hand/side? Or, something else . . .

I don't think it can be taken literally because God doesn't literally have hands. On this world, for example, we are God's hands when it comes to feeding the hungry.

It's an interesting point you make. Does God have a right hand side or left hand side, or a top or a bottom, or an inside and a surface? Probably not because He's not a spatial being.

 

[Original Happy Camper]

I don't think it can be taken literally because God doesn't literally have hands. On this world, for example, we are God's hands when it comes to feeding the hungry.

It's an interesting point you make. Does God have a right hand side or left hand side, or a top or a bottom, or an inside and a surface? Probably not because He's not a spatial being.

Acts 1 KJV
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The Desire of Ages, pages 25, 26:

By His life and His death, Christ has achieved even more than recovery from the ruin wrought through sin. It was Satan’s purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and man; but in Christ we become more closely united to God than if we had never fallen. In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.” John 3:16. He gave Him not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the fallen race. To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature. This is the pledge that God will fulfill His word. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder.” God has adopted human nature in the person of His Son, and has carried the same into the highest heaven. It is the “Son of man” who shares the throne of the universe. It is the “Son of man” whose name shall be called, “Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isa. 9:6. The I Am is the Daysman between God and humanity, laying His hand upon both. He who is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,” is not ashamed to call us brethren. Heb. 7:26; 2:11. In Christ the family of earth and the family of heaven are bound together. Christ glorified is our brother. Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of Infinite Love.

Matthew 26:64
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

 

[Hmm]

Acts 1 KJV
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The Desire of Ages, pages 25, 26:

By His life and His death, Christ has achieved even more than recovery from the ruin wrought through sin. It was Satan’s purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and man; but in Christ we become more closely united to God than if we had never fallen. In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.” John 3:16. He gave Him not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the fallen race. To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature. This is the pledge that God will fulfill His word. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder.” God has adopted human nature in the person of His Son, and has carried the same into the highest heaven. It is the “Son of man” who shares the throne of the universe. It is the “Son of man” whose name shall be called, “Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isa. 9:6. The I Am is the Daysman between God and humanity, laying His hand upon both. He who is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,” is not ashamed to call us brethren. Heb. 7:26; 2:11. In Christ the family of earth and the family of heaven are bound together. Christ glorified is our brother. Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of Infinite Love.

Matthew 26:64
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

I don't get what you're trying to say, sorry. Perhaps you could use your own words?

 

[pdudgeon]

When Jesus is said to be at or to sit at the right hand of God, is that literally true? Is he sitting on another throne next to God the Father's throne? Or, is he perhaps sitting on God's throne at his right hand? Or, is this not literal language at all since God does not have a right hand/side? Or, something else . . .

Yes, God, our Father has a throne.
In Heaven.
And Jesus also has a throne in Heaven, and is seated on that throne. His seat is to the right of God's hand, hence the expression "God's right hand man", signifying the power that He holds in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The fact that Jesus is seated indicates that the work that God gave Him to do has been done, and all we are waiting for now is for the number of those souls who have been saved has reached it's fulfillment.

 

[tampasteve]

Yes, God, our Father has a throne.
In Heaven.

As a non-corporeal/Incorpeal being, how does God the Father sit on a physical/literal throne, or is the throne seen to be there, but God the Father does not actually "sit" in it?

 

[A_Thinker]

When Jesus is said to be at or to sit at the right hand of God, is that literally true? Is he sitting on another throne next to God the Father's throne? Or, is he perhaps sitting on God's throne at his right hand? Or, is this not literal language at all since God does not have a right hand/side? Or, something else . . .

Sounds like a figure of speech ... that Jesus is the Father's right hand "man", as it were ...

 

[Albion]

When Jesus is said to be at or to sit at the right hand of God, is that literally true?

Is he sitting on another throne next to God the Father's throne? Or, is he perhaps sitting on God's throne at his right hand?

No...and no. He resumed his place with the Father in heaven, but not literally sitting on a chair.

 

[MaxPower]

If you take it literally Some verses say on Gods right hand, The right hand is seen as a place of honor and status, Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and Earth


Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 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:

Making intercession for us

Romans 8 :34 “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.”

Christ the power of God, 1 Corinthians 1:24

 

[Evegpt]

I think it means authority.

 

[JAL]

When Jesus is said to be at or to sit at the right hand of God, is that literally true? Is he sitting on another throne next to God the Father's throne? Or, is he perhaps sitting on God's throne at his right hand? Or, is this not literal language at all since God does not have a right hand/side? Or, something else . . .

In my opinion, yes He is a physical being who sits on a throne. I have debated this elsewhere hence am not much inclined to again do a full apologetic here.
God Is a Physical Being | Christian Forums

A short apologetic will have to suffice here.

Consider the ISBE authored by 200 evangelical scholars. In its discussion of the term "Glory" it defines the Glory of the Lord as the physical, human-shaped figure enshrouded in the pillars of Fire and Cloud. The ISBE states:

"The glory of Yahweh is clearly a physical manifestation, a form with hands and rear parts, of which Moses is permitted to catch only a passing glimpse, but the implication is clear that he actually does see Yahweh with his physical eyes"

Dan 7:9-11 paints a vivid picture of Yahweh seated on a throne, and 70 elders meet Him face to face at Ex 24:9 where "His feet rested on pavement." Although the Son has always been seated at the right hand of the Father, I'm not entirely sure whether it's two thrones or one.

About 2,000 years ago, the church fathers acquiesced to Plato's philosophical theory of "immaterial Spirit" - well all of them except for Tertullian (200 AD). Even Tertullian was influenced by Plato but at least he held steadfast to staunch materialism.

The main problem with immaterialism is that it is an extraordinary claim. Example: "May the immaterial Force be with you, Luke!" Extraordinary claims cry out for an extraordinary amount of corroborating evidence. Problem is, as I argue on that thread, the Bible has no shred of hard evidence for immaterial Spirit. All we know for sure is matter - it doesn't need any further corroboration.

But we have been brainwashed to assume that cognitive and spiritual matters are immaterial realities, hence most Christians find it impossible to imagine otherwise. This is due to 2,000 years of a fully Platonic church.

 

[Evegpt]

I think he is in a form you can touch and see because he said to Thomas, touch me, feel the scars in my hand. And he suddenly appeared in the room where the disciples were so that seems to be a body that one that can just beam itself around where it needs to be. So, it appears to be a body physical but with what we think of as supernatural abilities.

Moshe (Moses) asks God "Show me your glory." God responds that He cannot be seen by any human being. But, God tells Moshe, "Stand in the cleft of the rock" and "you will see My back, but My face must not be seen." (Exodus 33: 17-23)

Moses saw Gods back. So, although I think it means authority, it doesn’t rule out that Jesus could be also be seen in Heaven sitting on a throne in some physical form.
Yes,I’m speculating so you “I’m here to teach you because I’m smarter than you” professors just ignore this.

 

[Mr. M]

When Jesus is said to be at or to sit at the right hand of God, is that literally true? Is he sitting on another throne next to God the Father's throne? Or, is he perhaps sitting on God's throne at his right hand? Or, is this not literal language at all since God does not have a right hand/side? Or, something else . . .

Except when He is standing!
Apparently great acts of faith brings the Lord to His feet.
Acts 7:
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God,
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing
at the right hand of God!”

 

[Evegpt]

Except when He is standing!
Apparently great acts of faith brings the Lord to His feet.
Acts 7:
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God,
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing
at the right hand of God!”

Good catch. I never saw that.

 

[ViaCrucis]

When Jesus is said to be at or to sit at the right hand of God, is that literally true? Is he sitting on another throne next to God the Father's throne? Or, is he perhaps sitting on God's throne at his right hand? Or, is this not literal language at all since God does not have a right hand/side? Or, something else . . .

Not literal. It is the language of royal power and authority.

God, in His Essence, is infinite, He is everywhere and always, He is both beyond all things and fills all things. The language of "Throne" is the language of God as Sovereign King of the universe.

Jesus being taken up into the heavens and seated at the right hand of the Father in glory, is the exaltation and enthronement of the Messiah (Daniel 7:13-14, Philippians 2:9-11), Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, taking up His throne as King Messiah, the Son of David--in fulfillment of the Scriptures (2 Samuel 7:16, Luke 1:31-33).

It doesn't mean that God the Father has a giant chair, and Jesus has a side-chair next to it. It means that God reigns, and Jesus (who as the Eternal Son of the Father is God and has always reigned as Eternal and Almighty God with the Father and the Holy Spirit) has been exalted as King of kings and Lord of lords as Christ, Messiah, the Son of David who has received everlasting kingdom and dominion, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Me" (Matthew 28:18).

And so Christ reigns at the right hand of the Father, and heaven "must keep Him until the restoration of all things" (Acts of the Apostles 3:21), at which time the Lord will return in glory as judge of the living and the dead, the dead shall be raised, and God will make all things new: new heavens and new earth.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

As a non-corporeal/Incorpeal being, how does God the Father sit on a physical/literal throne, or is the throne seen to be there, but God the Father does not actually "sit" in it?

SDA's, or at least some of them, believe God has a literal throne and literal heavenly sanctuary, literally all located in the Orion Nebula.

And yes, I'm dead serious:

-CryptoLutheran

 

[JAL]

Not literal. It is the language of royal power and authority.

God, in His Essence, is infinite, He is everywhere and always, He is both beyond all things and fills all things. The language of "Throne" is the language of God as Sovereign King of the universe.

Jesus being taken up into the heavens and seated at the right hand of the Father in glory, is the exaltation and enthronement of the Messiah (Daniel 7:13-14, Philippians 2:9-11), Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, taking up His throne as King Messiah, the Son of David--in fulfillment of the Scriptures (2 Samuel 7:16, Luke 1:31-33).

It doesn't mean that God the Father has a giant chair, and Jesus has a side-chair next to it. It means that God reigns, and Jesus (who as the Eternal Son of the Father is God and has always reigned as Eternal and Almighty God with the Father and the Holy Spirit) has been exalted as King of kings and Lord of lords as Christ, Messiah, the Son of David who has received everlasting kingdom and dominion, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Me" (Matthew 28:18).

And so Christ reigns at the right hand of the Father, and heaven "must keep Him until the restoration of all things" (Acts of the Apostles 3:21), at which time the Lord will return in glory as judge of the living and the dead, the dead shall be raised, and God will make all things new: new heavens and new earth.

-CryptoLutheran

Minister Monardo cited this verse:

Acts 7:
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God,
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing
at the right hand of God!”

which seems to fit well with Acts 1:

"After [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

I'm curious - what's your take on these verses?

Note: I personally don't assume the throne is in the Orion Nebula specifically (I had never heard of it) but, as Louis Berkhoff says in his Systematic Theology, Scripture consistently points our eyes skyward to heaven and, as for hell, downward towards the lower parts of the earth.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Minister Monardo cited this verse:

Acts 7:
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God,
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing
at the right hand of God!”

which seems to fit well with Acts 1:

"After [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

I'm curious - what's your take on these verses?

Note: I personally don't assume the throne is in the Orion Nebula specifically (I had never heard of it) but, as Louis Berkhoff says in his Systematic Theology, Scripture consistently points our eyes skyward to heaven and, as for hell, downward towards the lower parts of the earth.

St. Stephen was granted a vision before his martyrdom, a gift from God to encourage him in his last moments--and to present for us his story of courage and conviction, which would become the inspiration for the courage of so many martyrs who would come after him.

And I think the meaning and significance of Jesus' ascension as recorded here in Acts 1 is significant because it is a deliberate allusion back to Daniel's vision of the Son of Man.

Recall also that Christ fills all things (Ephesians 1:23), His body and flesh is real, and yet He is not constrained or contained even in His resurrected and glorious flesh--as demonstrated in the post-resurrection stories, such as the Lord's sudden appearance before the disciples.

The Ascension, the Enthronement, of the Messiah isn't about literal thrones anywhere; but about the Messiah enthroned and reigning; "at the right hand of God" to indicate the exalted status of His kingly reign.

It's not about "where" He is at all. The Incarnate Son of God fills all things, He is everywhere (because He is still God).

-CryptoLutheran

 

[JAL]

St. Stephen was granted a vision before his martyrdom, a gift from God to encourage him in his last moments--and to present for us his story of courage and conviction, which would become the inspiration for the courage of so many martyrs who would come after him.

And I think the meaning and significance of Jesus' ascension as recorded here in Acts 1 is significant because it is a deliberate allusion back to Daniel's vision of the Son of Man.

Recall also that Christ fills all things (Ephesians 1:23), His body and flesh is real, and yet He is not constrained or contained even in His resurrected and glorious flesh--as demonstrated in the post-resurrection stories, such as the Lord's sudden appearance before the disciples.

The Ascension, the Enthronement, of the Messiah isn't about literal thrones anywhere; but about the Messiah enthroned and reigning; "at the right hand of God" to indicate the exalted status of His kingly reign.

It's not about "where" He is at all. The Incarnate Son of God fills all things, He is everywhere (because He is still God).

-CryptoLutheran

You keep repeating points moot to the controversy. No one denies that He fills all things. As a materialist, MY understanding is the following (admittedly unorthodox) view.
(1) His material presence fills the whole universe - it is diffused more or less sparsely throughout the 100 billion galaxies.
(2) Part of that presence is a (human-shaped) Father and Son enthroned.
(3) Either the entire Son, or a piece of Him, was placed in Mary's womb, within a zygote-body.
(4) After the resurrection, He returned to the throne - but this time wrapped in a human body.

The point is that His human body has to be SOMEWHERE, right? So you want me to ignore the verses that depict Him on a throne? (I'm not likely to do that).

WHERE is His body and WHY do you assume that Scripture is inaccurate when telling us that it is seated on a throne?