STANDING AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND

MF Blume June 14/95


// RIGHT HAND OF POWER // A BOOK IN GOD'S RIGHT HAND //
// JOHN COMES TO THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD // ACCEPTING US IN CHRIST //
// WHEN THE LAMB ASCENDED TO THE RIGHT HAND TO TAKE THE BOOK //
//THE DISCIPLES COME TO GOD'S RIGHT HAND // ASCENDED WITH CHIRST //
// THE BEASTS KNEW // EPHESIANS AND REVELATION // THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY // REVELATION AT THE RIGHT HAND // CONCLUSION //



We all recall the many verses which speak of Jesus standing on the right hand of God. The inference is that He is at the place of POWER and APPROVAL in God. Stephen saw a vision as he was being stoned. He saw Jesus at God's right hand and declared it to his murderers. What enraged the Jews against him was Stephen's declaration and what it implied. They knew they crucified Christ. When Stephen told them that Jesus was at God's right hand they realized he meant that they crucified the One who was so favoured by God that God empowered Him mightily. Such an inference told the Jews that they fought that which God promoted. So, in order to be at God's right hand one must be highly favoured by God so much so as to incite God to mightily empower and bless one's life.

RIGHT HAND OF "POWER"

Note the following verses that prove that the right hand of God refers to His power.

Exodus 15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

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.

Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Luke 22:69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

Ephesians 1:19 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

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],

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;

A BOOK IN GOD'S RIGHT HAND

Revelation 5:1 shows a book in the right hand of God who sits on the throne.

Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Jesus, the Lamb with seven eyes (perfect insight), is the only one able to go to God's right hand and take to open the seven-sealed scroll. Any mystery that is so hidden from interpretation and understanding is like a scroll sealed 7 times. Sealing a thing 7 times is indicative of completely hiding something from view. the eye is the organ we have in order to see. And the vision we have is that which we so greatly rely upon to understand our world around us. Therefore, the comparison of possessing insight with having seven eyes is perfectly fitting, since seven denotes PERFECT and COMPLETE.

Paul speaks of the EYES OF OUR UNDERSTANDING. To have 7 eyes, or complete insight, is to be able to loosen 7 seals from any mystery! Christ went to God's right hand and opened the book.

JOHN COMES TO THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD

Now, the Bible doesn't say that Christ took the book and ran around, opening it up before the time in which John came and seen its contents. Therefore we can safely assume that John saw Christ remain at God's right hand when He opened the scroll in Revelation 6.

When the Lamb opened the Book, a Beast told John to "Come and see." Come where? Come to God's RIGHT HAND. This tells us a truth.

Get the picture. When the Lamb came to the right hand of God, the 24 elders and the 4 beasts cried out a praise concerning how Christ was able to take the book for He had redeemed them to God by His blood.

Revelation 5:7-10 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Being able to come and take the Scroll, and fully comprehend this seven-sealed mystery and thus clearly manifest revelation ability, Jesus Christ incited the 24 elders and 4 beasts to recognize that Christ was in God's complete favour! Since the Lamb had been slain for the purpose of redeeming man, and since God allowed Him to come to His right hand AFTER having thus been slain, we see that God's approval was upon that sacrifice! Jesus came to take the book and reveal it to all mankind. The question was asked:

Revelation 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

In other words, "Who is worthy enough to come and let man see what is the mystery of God, which man has been barred from seeing due to his alienation from God? Who is worthy enough to come and prove worthiness to possess the right to reveal to man what has always been hidden from man, and thus change God's mind concerning mankind's alienation? Who is worthy enough to take this mystery and freely reveal it to whom he will?"

The fact that man was barred from seeing God's mysteries tells us that man was separated and alienated from God. Otherwise God would hold back no mysteries, and there would be NO SEALS on anything that is of God, as far as man is concerned.

God indirectly allowed all others to come to His right hand, with Christ, since God had no reservations about Christ taking the scroll and opening it to reveal it to others. And this is precisely what the 24 elders and 4 beasts realised as they praised the Lamb for being worthy to take the book. He was slain and had redeemed them by His blood. His sacrifice must have been acceptable, for God allowed Him at His right hand after he was sacrificed!

ACCEPTING US IN CHRIST

To allow Christ to open the scroll for the sake of revealing it's contents to all is to indirectly accept all the world to Himself IN CHRIST. Its not so much the scroll's contents that is the issue, but it is the fact that the Lamb died for the purpose of redeeming man, and that God allowed the Lamb to come to His right hand and take the scroll, thus putting His approval on the Lamb's sacrifice for man. The sacrifice was Accepted!

WHEN THE LAMB ASCENDED TO THE RIGHT HAND TO TAKE THE BOOK

I believe the time when the Lamb went to the throne in Rev. 5 is recorded in John 20:17-19 after His resurrection.

John 20:17-23 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and [that] he had spoken these things unto her. Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you. That is the reason Jesus was able to tell the disciples the following after breathing on them: Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.

THE DISCIPLES COME TO GOD'S RIGHT HAND

Jesus gave the disciples the same authority He received from the Father. God's Spirit of power was in Jesus. And since His sacrifice for man was accepted by God for the purpose of redeeming and empowering man, Jesus was able to give the disciples God's Spirit authority to remit sins! Jesus is the Baptiser in the Holy Ghost!

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:

Jesus could give people God's Spirit of POWER since Jesus' sacrifice was successful in redeeming man to be worthy to be indwelt by that Spirit.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus gave the disciples authority to remit sins! In other words, Jesus told the disciples to come and join Him at God's right hand! Receiving the Spirit from Jesus is akin to standing at the right hand of POWER, for the reception of the Spirit was the reception of POWER (Acts 1:8).

ASCENDED WITH CHRIST

Ephesians 1 informs us that we must use the eyes of our understanding and SEE the mysteries of God. They're our's for the seeing! Paul said we are in Christ since we trusted in His death on the cross in allowing us access to God.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And [having] an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Our trust was well directed towards Christ's' work as giving us access to God, for God has approved of our trust in sealing that approval upon us by granting us the Holy Ghost - the Spirit of POWER. The Holy Ghost is POWER to the believer. Let us ever recognize it as such.

Ephesians 1:9-14 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Since we are at such a position of approval from God, we are privy to all His mysteries. The mysteries that were kept from man, making them "mysteries", until the time of Christ were given to us who trusted in Christ. Man was an enemy of God. It wasn't until Christ died to make peace between us and God that we were given access to all that is of God.

Colossians 1:21-23 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

We must continue in the TRUSTING - continue in the FAITH. Our access, then, provides us revelation of the things of Gods. God would not reveal His "things", as Paul says it, to His enemies:

1 Corinthians 2:9-12 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Paul then continues, in Ephesians, to explain why we can see God's mysteries. After Jesus Christ was sacrificed, He was raised up to God's right hand. Since the term "right hand" denotes POWER, and is not literal, Paul uses it to introduce his thought in the following manner:

Ephesians 1:19-2:1 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], 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: And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. God made us alive due to our faith in Christ: And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; And then God raised us up together with Christ:

Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:

Since Christ is at God's right hand, and we are in Christ, then we can say we are at the right hand of God IN CHRIST.

THE BEASTS KNEW

John came to the right hand of God and seen the scroll's contents.

Revelation 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. One of the beasts told him to come and see.

This beast realised the import of God's acceptance of Christ's sacrifice. Now, you must se that John had to go to God's right hand in order to see what was in the scroll, for that is where Christ stood and opened it. This meant that John was no longer assuming the position of being an enemy of God, but now assuming the place of RECONCILIATION.

Did the Beast realise what it was telling John to do? Did it realise it was implying that John was no longer an enemy of God? You better believe it did!

The 24 elders and 4 beasts cried out how the Lamb redeemed them from sin by His blood. We might not fully have been able to comprehend the meaning of the Lamb going to God's right hand, but the 24 elders and the beasts certainly did! They knew what such access entailed, after Christ was slain for our sins. The Beast was telling John, "You can now come to God's right hand, too! That Lamb died for the purpose of making peace between you and God. Since God allowed Him to come to His right hand, God has approved of what the Lamb has done. He approved of that sacrifice, thus accepting it. Otherwise God would have not accepted Him at His right hand, even though Jesus was given access during His lifetime before the cross. Jesus' life was approved of God, but if Jesus' sacrifice had not been acceptable to God, then God would have barred Christ from His right hand. This would indicate that Christ's work was insufficient to redeem man. If it was insufficient, then Christ would have retained sin. In order to successfully be a sacrifice for man, Jesus had to have a sinless life. This was foreshadowed by the spotless lambs slain in OT days. Should His sacrifice have been a failure, then neither He nor mankind could approach the right hand of God. Since, however, God allowed Christ to come to His right hand, we know that we also are able to approach there. So, John. Come and see!"

EPHESIANS AND REVELATION

As Ephesians explains how we now can know the mysteries of God due to Christ's death for our reconciliation to God (Eph. 1:7-14), Revelation shows John's opportunity to "Come and see" the formerly-sealed scroll of mystery. The Lamb was slain for sinners and was accepted by God as having successfully fulfilled that role. Its not so much the contents of the scroll, but rather the fact that John was able to go to God's right hand and SEE THAT WHICH HE WAS FORMERLY NOT ALLOWED TO SEE.

To be able to receive revelation from God is to be able to stand at God's right hand where all revelation is found. We were formerly barred from such access to God. We can all enjoy such revelation, if we will but only realise it! The only qualification is that you maintain your trust in Christ as your only grounds for the availability of anything that is God's. It is to stand in God's approval instead of being an enemy of His. It is to have awareness that our sins are GONE! We are redeemed by the blood.

Ephesians 2:12-19 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Ephesians 3:2-6 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

(In reading the above references, note the two elements of the chance to receive revelation and the access to God. )

To go to God's right hand is to go to the throne. If we don't realise we CAN go, we will not go, for we only act upon that of which we are aware. This is the reason Hebrews tells us:

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

I believe the above truths help is further understand what the angel meant when he told John :

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The angel, in effect said, "The whole essence (spirit) of being able to declare God's truths as I have declared them to you is granted to me because of what Jesus did for you in His sacrifice. John, don't worship me. I did nothing to deserve honour from you for my prophecy to you. Jesus did it all! You can know these truths because God has permitted you to know. You are no longer alienated from Him. Jesus Christ redeemed you to God. Enjoy this blessing of Jesus Christ, John. And praise Him."

REVELATION AT THE RIGHT HAND

Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the LORD always before me: because [he is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

The New Testament interpreted this passage as a reference to Jesus Christ and His resurrection, as though the Lord Jesus were speaking. See verse 10. Verse 11 explains how God will show Jesus the PATH OF LIFE. That is revelation. It is truth concerning our walk with God, which Christ would reveal to His people. This is very similar to Christ receiving revelation from the Father, and in turn revealing it to all those who are in Him.

At God's right hand are pleasures forever more because there we find the revelation of the path of life! And the path of life is the correct manner in which to live and enjoy God's pleasures prepared for us.

There is a blessed fellowship around the right hand of God where the people who are there can enjoy all the mysteries God has. Paul spoke of the fellowship of mystery.

Ephesians 3:9-12 And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

I feel it is talking about the fact that the Jews and Gentiles are now one people of God, but I believe we can see an inference that this fellowship is possible due to the understanding of the mystery of God. And we are in a New Creation. This New creation was made by Jesus Christ when He died on the cross. Yes, God did create the physical world by His Word, or Jesus Christ. The Word became flesh - Jesus Christ. But we also see the New Creation - the New Heaven and Earth - the Kingdom of God, being made by Jesus Christ. And this is the more important world. See verse 9.

CONCLUSION

We can apply this truth when we are in need. By committing our trust to Christ's death, we can say, "God, I am trusting in Christ's death for my request to be met. I am thus in Christ. therefore, I am on your right hand of power. By that power, please meet my need!" Amen.