Jesus was standing because He was ready to return and establish the Kingdom, contingent on Israel's repentance.
Although Jesus is normally pictured seated at the Father's right hand after His ascension (Psalms 110:1), Stephen's vision in Acts 7 shows Him standing. Les Feldick teaches that standing signified readiness to return and deal with His people, fulfilling the Old Testament promise that He would arise after His enemies become His footstool. This was part of the ongoing offer of the Kingdom to Israel, which was withdrawn after their rejection.
Acts 7:55-56 — Stephen sees Jesus standing on the right hand of God, the key verse in the question.
Psalms 110:1 — Describes Jesus sitting at God's right hand until His enemies are made His footstool, providing contrast to His standing.
In Acts 7:55-56, Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, sees the heavens opened and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. This is a unique description, as Hebrews 1:3 states that after purging sins, Jesus sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Psalms 110:1 says, "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Thus, Scripture presents Jesus seated in heaven, but in this specific vision, He is standing.
Les Feldick explains that while we usually think of Jesus seated at the Father's right hand, Stephen's vision of Him standing was a powerful message to the Jewish audience. Standing indicated that He was ready to return and establish the Kingdom, as the Old Testament had promised that He would arise once His enemies were made His footstool. This was part of the continuing offer to Israel that if they repented, their Messiah would come back and set up the Kingdom. The Jews understood this symbolism, which is why they reacted so violently to Stephen's words.
Jesus is seated at the right hand of God since His ascension, awaiting the time when His enemies will be made His footstool. This seating is an invitation from the Father, as seen in Psalms 110:1. It indicates a period of waiting until the appointed time for judgment and the establishment of the Kingdom.
Stephen's vision of Jesus standing carried a powerful message to the Jewish council. The Jews understood that standing signified readiness to return and deal with His people. When Stephen declared this, they realized the implications of rejecting Christ, and they reacted by stopping their ears and stoning him.
The standing of Jesus was a visual reminder that the offer of the Kingdom was still valid if Israel would repent. Peter's preaching in Acts 3 called for repentance and conversion, which would usher in times of refreshing and the return of Jesus to fulfill the covenant promises. Israel's rejection led to the postponement of the Kingdom.
Why Israel Rejected Moses — And Then Rejected Christ
and what's that last word? Murderers. Now that's not very kind, is it? But that's what Israel was guilty of. They had killed their Messiah. Verse 53, "...speaking to the nation again, you have received the law by the disposition of angels." But what did they do with it? They didn't keep it.
Stephen's Vision
Les explains that standing at God's right hand implied readiness to return, and the Jews understood this symbolism, leading to Stephen's stoning.
What Happens After Christ's 1,000-Year Reign? 1 Corinthians 15:28
And now look at His position, "...and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies." This is the way I prefer to read it. Now again, look at the pronoun usage here. "...which He wrought in Christ," who? God the Father, up there in verse 17. "...which He wrought in Christ, when He," God the Father, and God the Spirit, and again the triune God, "...
Peter's Expectation
Les teaches that Peter expected the Kingdom if Israel repented, connecting Jesus' return with the fulfillment of covenant promises.
Hypothetical Offer
Les notes that Jesus' sitting was hypothetical, based on Israel's obedience, and He would have returned quickly if they had believed.
Psalms 110
Les points out that Jesus is seated until a point in time when His enemies are made His footstool, indicating a temporary state.
Revelation 4 & 5 Explained: The Throne Room & the Scroll
It never says that He ascended to sit on the throne. Where is He? He's at the right hand, He's at the Father's right hand, He is not on the throne. And so it's God the Father that we have to, and I don't like to use visualization as such, but in order to get the language, we picture now then God the Father as on the throne, God the Son is at the Father's right hand, and when John's all shook up th…
Ready to Come Back
Les explains that Jesus was ready to come back if Israel would have believed, tied to His ascension and the offer of the Kingdom.
Acts 7:55-56: But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Stephen's vision of Jesus standing, which is the central verse for the question.
Psalms 110:1: The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Shows the typical seated position and the time until enemies are subdued.
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;
Contrasts with standing, showing the usual seated posture.
Acts 3:19-20: Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Connects repentance to the sending of Jesus and the fulfillment of promises.
Scripture usually describes Jesus as seated at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:3, Psalms 110:1). However, Stephen saw Him standing in Acts 7:56. Les Feldick teaches that standing symbolized readiness to return and establish the Kingdom, which was still on offer to Israel at that time.
The Jewish leaders understood that standing at God's right hand implied Jesus was ready to return and judge or establish His Kingdom. They were filled with anger because they had rejected Jesus, and Stephen's vision confirmed their guilt, leading them to stone him.
The 'big if' was Israel's repentance and belief that Jesus was the Christ. If they had repented, Jesus would have returned to fulfill the Kingdom promises. Since they rejected Him, the Kingdom was postponed until a future time.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Rejected Moses — And Then Rejected Christ