“He is the One at the Right Hand of God”

[Romans 8:34]

Romans 8:34 says: “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

Here, “He” is (a) “the One who not only died but was raised to life,” (b) “Christ Jesus,” (c) “the One at the right hand of God,” and (d) “the One who intercedes for us.” We have already meditated on “the One who not only died but was raised to life.”  Today, we want to receive grace as we meditate on the truth that Christ Jesus is “the One at the right hand of God” and “the One who intercedes for us.”

1. Christ Jesus is “the One at the right hand of God.”

The latter part of Romans 8:34 says: “… Christ Jesus is the one who is at the right hand of God ….”

In the Bible, the phrase that Christ Jesus is “at the right hand of God” appears several times:

1. Colossians 3:1 – “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

2. Hebrews 8:1 – “The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.”

3. Hebrews 1:3 – “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

4. 1 Peter 3:22 – “[Christ] has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” [Modern Translation: “Christ has gone to heaven and is now at the right side of God, ruling over all angels, authorities, and powers.”]

5. Ephesians 1:20 – “[God] exerted [his power] when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” [Modern Translation: “God used His mighty power to raise Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in heaven.”]

So, what does “the right hand of God” mean?

Ephesians 1:21–23 explains: “… far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

From this, we see that “the right hand of God” means rule, authority, power, and dominion.

2. Christ Jesus is “the One who intercedes for us.”

The latter part of Romans 8:34 says: “… [He] is also interceding for us.”

What is Christ Jesus doing at the right hand of God? He is interceding for us. But what exactly is He interceding for on our behalf?

Hebrews 7:25 says: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

This shows that the prayer Christ Jesus offers at the right hand of God is for our complete salvation.

Romans 8:29–30 explains that right now, at the right hand of God, Christ Jesus is interceding that we may be glorified. We have already received salvation (we have been born again and justified), but that is not the whole of salvation (not yet complete salvation). Our complete salvation is glorification (Romans 8:30).

When Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise (1 Thessalonians 4:15–16), and those believers still alive will be changed in an instant (1 Corinthians 15:52). All will be clothed with a glorious body (Philippians 3:21), caught up to heaven, and will sit with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6, Modern Translation). Together with the Lord, they will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15; 22:5), fully enjoying eternal life and blessing.

Will the Father listen to the prayers of the Son who intercedes for our complete salvation at His right hand?

Hebrews 5:7 says: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” [Modern Translation: “While on earth, Jesus prayed and pleaded with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death, and God answered him because of his reverent obedience.”]

If the Father heard the prayers of Jesus when He offered them with cries and tears while on earth, how much more will He listen to the intercession of His Son at His right hand in heaven!

When Christ Jesus, who now intercedes at God’s right hand for our complete salvation, returns, the dead in Christ will rise (1 Thessalonians 4:15–16), and those alive at that time will be instantly transformed (1 Corinthians 15:52). They will receive glorious bodies (Philippians 3:21), ascend to heaven, sit with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6, Modern Translation), reign forever with Him (Revelation 11:15; 22:5), and fully enjoy eternal blessedness.

We must believe and be assured of this promise. And whenever we pray, even when “we do not know what we ought to pray for” [Modern Translation: “when we don’t know how to pray as we should”] (Romans 8:26–27), we trust that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness with wordless groans in accordance with the will of God, and that the Son, Christ Jesus, intercedes for our complete salvation at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34).

With this faith, when we lift up our prayers to the Father, we should do so with thanksgiving, praise, and worship, strengthened by the hope of Christ’s return and the certainty of our complete salvation.