Exposition

To ascend into heaven, and to sit at the right hand of God, are not the same; because the one may be without the other. This Article, which refers to Christ’s sitting at the right hand of God, differs from his ascension into heaven in the three following particulars:

1. The end of the former article is expressed in this; because it was for this reason that Christ ascended into heaven, that he might sit at the right hand of God.

2. Christ sits forever at the right hand of the Father; but he ascended only once into heaven.

3. The angels ascend, and we shall also ascend into heaven; but neither they nor we shall sit at the right hand of the Father. “To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool.” (Heb. 1:13.) Much less has God said this of any man, Christ only excepted.

Concerning this sitting at the right hand of God, we must consider more particularly:
What the right hand of God signifies in the Scriptures:

What it is to sit at the right hand of God:
Whether Christ has alway sat at God’s right hand:
What the fruits of his sitting at the right hand of the Father are.


I. What the right hand of God signifies in the Scriptures

The right hand, and other members of our body, are attributed to God in an improper sense. As used in the Scriptures, the phrase, right hand of God signifies two things. First, the supreme power and virtue, or omnipotence of God. “Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour.” “The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.” “Thy right hand, Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.” (Acts 5:31. Ps. 118: 16. Ex. 15: 6.) And secondly, supreme dignity and glory, or majesty. It is in this second sense that we are to understand it as here used.