Jesus, on trial before the high priest, said, “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mt 26:64, Mk 14:62, Lk 22:69). Jesus makes two claims about his future. The latter claim refers to his second coming. The first is that he will be seated at the right hand of God. We currently live in the time between those two moments. We see in other scriptures (Col 3:1, Heb 8:1) that Christ is currently seated at the right hand of the father. This indicates that he has been enthroned on high in his power and glory. His work on the cross was finished and he has now taken his proper place. The one instance where we see Jesus doing something different is when Stephen is being stoned as the first martyr. As Stephen looks up, he sees Jesus. He says in Acts 7:56, “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Jesus is standing at the moment of Stephen’s death.This could be seen as an ovation or a welcome home as he ushered Stephen into eternity. Apart from that, Jesus is seated on his throne from which he can reign in the lives of believers and receive their worship. So physically, that is where Jesus is currently. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus also said, “behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” While physically Jesus is in heaven at God’s right hand, he also lives inside of believers through the Holy Spirit (John 14:20, Ephesians 3:17). He also said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” He is in heaven and yet he is also in us individually and corporately when we gather in his name.

He is not only seated, but he is also at work in many different ways. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that he intercedes on our behalf. He is our advocate (1 John 2:1). In many ways Jesus is similar to a defense attorney who represents us to the Father. Jesus has also received all authority. Therefore Jesus is carrying out his will in heaven and on earth. He is also listening to the prayers of his people and speaking to them through his Word. Finally, Jesus is awaiting the moment that only the Father knows. In Mark 13:32 Jesus said, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Jesus is waiting for the moment when the Father tells him to return to earth for his bride, the church.