Yes, Jesus sitting at the right hand of God signifies His exaltation and a temporary position until His enemies are subdued.
Jesus was raised from the dead and seated at God's right hand by the Father, not by His own action. This position is not permanent; Psalm 110:1 includes 'until,' indicating a time when He will arise and return to establish His kingdom.
Psalm 110:1 — This verse directly states that Jesus sits at God's right hand until His enemies are made His footstool, revealing the temporary nature of His position.
The Bible teaches that Jesus, after His resurrection, was set at the right hand of God the Father. Ephesians 1:20 states that God 'raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenlies. Hebrews 1:3 says that after purging our sins, He 'sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.' However, the key verse is Psalm 110:1: 'The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.' The word 'until' is a time word, indicating that His sitting is not eternal. Additionally, Acts 7:55-56 records Stephen seeing Jesus 'standing on the right hand of God,' which signifies readiness to return, contrasting with the usual seated position. These verses collectively show that Jesus is exalted at God's right hand, but His sitting is provisional, awaiting the defeat of His enemies.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus' sitting at the right hand of God is an act of the Father, not Jesus' own choice. He says, 'Jesus didn't come up and say, I'll set myself down. That's not the way the Scripture reads. But rather that God set Him at His own right hand' (Clip 2). Les highlights the 'until' in Psalm 110:1, explaining that Jesus is not there forever. He will remain seated until His enemies are made His footstool, then He will arise (stand) and return to deal with His people (Clip 3, Clip 7). This is why Stephen's vision of Jesus standing was so significant to the Jews, as it implied readiness to return. Furthermore, Les clarifies that Jesus is not on the throne but at the right hand of the Father. In Revelation 4-5, Jesus comes before the Father to take the scroll, indicating His work is not yet complete (Clip 6). The sitting at the right hand is thus a position of exaltation and waiting, not a permanent state.
Les explains that while Jesus is typically seated at the right hand of God, Stephen saw Him standing. This is because in the Old Testament, the Messiah would sit until His enemies were made His footstool, and then He would arise (stand) to return. The Jews understood this, so when Stephen said he saw Jesus standing, they realized it meant Jesus was ready to return and judge, which is why they stoned him (Clip 1, Clip 7).
No, according to Psalm 110:1, Jesus sits at God's right hand 'until' His enemies are made His footstool. Les stresses that 'until' is a time word, indicating a point in time when He will rise from that seat and return to earth. He will not stay there forever, but will leave heaven to become King of the promised kingdom (Clip 3, Clip 5).
Les explains that in Psalm 110:1, God the Father invites Jesus to 'Sit thou at my right hand until I make thy enemies thy footstool.' This was the invitation for the ascension. However, according to the Old Testament, if Israel had believed, Jesus would not have stayed long but would have returned quickly to set up the kingdom. But because of Israel's rejection, He has remained at the Father's right hand (Clip 5).
What Shall We Do? Acts 2 & God's Foreknowledge Explained
the same Person, it's the same Christ. All right, now then verse 32, "...this Jesus," the one you killed, the one whom God raised from the dead, "...this Jesus God has raised up, whereof we are all witnesses." Now remember I made the comment several programs ago, that if there is one proof of resurrection I think that stands above all others, is the man Peter himself.
Stephen's Vision of Jesus Standing
Les explains that Stephen saw Jesus standing (not sitting) at God's right hand, which signified His readiness to return, and this provoked the Jews to stone him.
God the Father Set Jesus at His Right Hand
Les emphasizes that God the Father set Jesus at His own right hand; Jesus did not set Himself there, showing it was an act of exaltation by the Father.
The 'Until' in Psalm 110:1
Les highlights the word 'until' in Psalm 110:1, meaning Jesus will not stay at the right hand forever but only until His enemies are made His footstool.
Why Christ Must Reign Until All Enemies Are Under His Feet
Now in Psalms 110 verse 1, and this verse is alluded to so often throughout Scripture, the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool. Now I think what we have here of course is God the Father speaking to God the Son, because we have all these other references with regard to Christ sitting at the Father's right hand.
The Conditional Aspect of the Ascension
Les explains that the invitation to sit at the right hand was given at the ascension, but had Israel believed, Jesus would have returned quickly to set up the kingdom, making the current waiting period hypothetical.
Jesus Not on the Throne
Les clarifies that Jesus is not on the throne but at the Father's right hand, and in Revelation, He comes before the Father to take the scroll, showing His work is not yet complete.
Standing Implies Readiness to Return
Les explains that the Old Testament indicated Jesus would sit until His enemies were subdued, then arise (stand) to return, which is why Stephen's vision of Him standing was significant.
Psalm 110:1: The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
This verse is foundational, showing the temporary nature of Jesus' session at the right hand.
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,
Confirms that God the Father set Jesus at His right hand after resurrection.
Hebrews 1:3: Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Shows Jesus sat down after purging sins, indicating His exalted position.
No, according to Psalm 110:1, Jesus sits at the right hand 'until' His enemies are made His footstool. This 'until' indicates a time when He will rise and return, so His sitting is not eternal.
Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, which implied readiness to return. The Jews understood this, so they stoned him because it meant judgment was coming.
God the Father seated Jesus at His right hand. Les emphasizes that Jesus did not set Himself there; the Father did it as an act of exaltation after resurrection.
Watch the Teaching: What Shall We Do? Acts 2 & God's Foreknowledge Explained