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What is the right hand of God? Where is the right hand of God? In discovering the answer to these questions, remember this: The quest for God and for truth is always upward and inward. Never outward or downward.
Since you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1, 2
To whom (the Gentiles) God wants to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in(side) you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
This last verse is the reason I exalt the seven church epistles of Paul above all other parts of the Bible. Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians are written in order for God to make known to you, who were a Gentile, the riches of the glory of the mystery of Christ within.
I believe that all the Bible is an expression of the Word of God, but not all the Bible is specifically addressed to me, nor is it all to be specifically applied by me, today. Hence, for example, the distinction made between Old Testament (the word “testament” has the meaning of a covenant, or ongoing contractual agreement between two parties) and the New Testament.
The death, resurrection and glorification of Jesus Christ did not add more for us to do, so that we now have to keep the Old AND the New Testaments. No! Rather, Jesus Christ did away with the need for what is contained in the Old (the fulfillment of which is recorded in the 4 Gospels), thus allowing for the New. And this New, (which is so very very very very different from the Old), is clearly spelled out in Paul’s seven Church Epistles. The New Testament, or Covenant which God has with man is the covenant God has as a Father with His son, Jesus the Anointed One, and with all sons who have received Jesus’ spirit.
Your right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed in pieces the enemy. Exodus 15:6
Moses and the children of Israel sang a song (of which the above verse is part) to God for delivering them from the armies of Egypt, specifically of bringing Israel through the Red Sea. The armies of Egypt died in the Red Sea, when the waters which God had caused to part for Israel’s passage, came rushing back together. Here the right hand of God is figuratively (personification, synecdoche, metaphor, euphemism) used to represent the blessing of the authority and power of God, which is used for the benefit of those He loves, to conquer their enemies. God’s blessing of authority and power to conquer enemies. That is the right hand of God.
Who has delivered (to snatch from danger) us from the power (exousia – authority) of darkness, and has transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved son. Colossians 1:13
This snatching us from the danger of the authority of darkness was accomplished by the right hand of God.
… according to the working of the might (kratos – overcoming power) of His strength (ischus), Which He energized in Christ when He raised him from the dead, and set him at His own right hand in the heavenly (realms), Far above every principality, and authority, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come; Ephesians 1:19b-21
Specifically, us being snatched from the danger of the authority of darkness and being transferred into the kingdom of God’s beloved son was accomplished by God by means of His son. (Since by man, connection with God was lost, and defeat of man by God’s enemy was won ; so by man, connection with God was regained and defeat of God’s enemy by man was won). God exalted His son to His right hand, thus imbuing him with all the authority and power required to conquer all His (and our) enemies. God transferred to Jesus His own lordship over His creation.
Therefore (David) being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of His loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; This Jesus has God raised up, of which we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the holy spirit, He has shed forth (poured out) this (speaking of holy spirit), which you now see and hear (they saw and heard them speaking in tongues). For David is not ascended into the heavens; but he himself says, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit on My right hand, Until I make your foes your footstool. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2 30, 32-36
In the Bible, God is Lord in the Old Testament and gospels. Jesus is Lord after his ascension into heaven. From the book of Acts and on, unless the word “Lord” is specifically referring to an Old Testament time, the word “Lord” is referring to Jesus’ spirit of authority and power which his Father, God gave him.
Who (God, through Christ – vs. 4) also has made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. Now the Lord is that spirit; and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, by the spirit of the Lord. II Corinthians 3:6, 17, 18)
I have a good reason for jumping from verse 6 to verse 17. You see, verses 7 – 16 are a parenthetical thought, comparing the Old Testament to the New Testament. This parenthesis is an aside, making sure the reader understands that this new way of the spirit is so totally and unequivocally different from life in and during the Old Testament, where there was no way of the spirit. There is a new Lord now, and that Lord has given his spirit to anyone whose heart calls upon him, thus imbuing all those others with the same authority and power he has been given by his Father.
Even when we were dead in sins, (God) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace are you saved); And has raised us up together (with him), and made us sit together in heavenly (realms) in Christ Jesus; That in the ages to come, He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness (gentle practicality) toward us by (in) Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-7
We, together with (and in) Christ, are seated (completed, confirmed, and finalized) at the right hand of God. The authority and power of the right hand of God is within us. God is not “out there” somewhere. He is within, and His power and authority are ours. “Where Christ is seated at the right hand of God – Colossians 3:1 – is not “out there,” it is in here! The power and authority over all enemies is ours to command, in the name and by the spirit of Jesus Christ, Lord of heaven and earth, not only in this age, but in all the ages to come.
And (God) has put all things under his (Jesus’) feet, and gave him to be the head over all things for the church (those who have responded to the calling out of Christ) Which is his body, the fullness of him who fulfills all (of God’s will) in all (believers). Ephesians 1:22, 23
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Related Studies
If you enjoyed how this study challenged your thinking and opened up your understanding of Christ, click on one of the related studies below:
Power and Authority
What is the POWER of God?
Jesus the Christ now our Lord
In the Name of Jesus
Who or What is the Holy Spirit
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