Just what does it mean to have the “Son of God” “at the right hand of the Majesty on high?” Of course when writing on such a subject, it must be admitted at the start, that no one can cover all there is to write. This subject involves so much, nevertheless, it is here to be addressed in no Divine Order but to call attention to subjects within subjects. We are writing to see a little of a great subject! Therefore, let us address a truly great Bible subject: “At the right hand of God!”
First, it means that we have an “advocate,” as it is written: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2:1). Second, it means that our “great high priest” is our “propitiation,” as it is written: “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Third, it means that our “propitiation,” which is the Greek word “hilasmos” and means: “of appeasing.” But, what does this word mean? A dear friend of mine put it this way: “When you and the wife have had a heated disagreement and you leave the house; but you come back and knock on the door, and in your hand, you hold flowers. All you can get in your hand! You put your hand with the flowers through the door and if your wife takes them, then, you can enter the through the door.” In this case, the flowers serve as the “propitiation!” Yes, it is hard to compare “flowers” with the blood of Jesus, but it gets to the point! If the wife does not take the flowers, the husband cannot enter through the door into the house! He is shut out! Therefore, without the “propitiation” of Jesus’ blood, no one could ever enter the family of God, never enter into heaven; no one could ever receive the spiritual blessings of God! We would all be shut out of heaven forever!
Now, let us look at what it would mean, if the Son of God was not at “the right hand of the Majesty on high.” It would mean that we have no “high priest;” for it is written: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession” (Heb. 4:14). It means that we would have no reason to “hold fast our profession.” Better yet, we would not have a spiritual “profession!” Do you know what the word “profession” means? It is the Greek word “homologia” and means: “1a) subjectively: whom we profess to be ours 1b) objectively: profession [confession], i.e. what one professes [confesses]” (Thayer). The point here is that Jesus serving as our “high priest” conveys the idea that we are to be busy “confessing” Jesus in our manner of life. This is not talking but living! After all, when we were baptized, we made the good confession, that Jesus is our Lord; Jesus is our Ruler, Jesus is our King, and we vowed to submit to his authority! It would mean that we have no “high priest” in the first place, for it is written: “For we have not an high priest, …” (Heb. 4:14). It would mean that we would not have been a “high priest” who would be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; for it is written: “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb. 4:14). It would mean that we would not have been tempted in all points as were; for it is written, he “was in all points tempted like as we are” (Heb. 4:14). It would mean that we would not have a “high priest” who was tempted, in all points, as we are, but he was without sin; for it is written: “yet without sin” (Heb. 4:14). Then, we must not forget the point, without our “high priest,” we would not have any reason to “come boldly unto the throne of grace;” for it is written: “Let us therefore come boldly (the Greek, “parrhesia,” which means, among other things, free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance, Thayer) unto the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:15). We get our “boldness” from our high priest because of who he is and what he did. When we come before the “throne” of the Son of God, it is because of who Jesus is, he is our “great high priest,” who has been “tempted in all points like as we are;” therefore, we come to “the throne of grace!” Jesus is not looking to condemn us but to seek our forgiveness! Here let us read the whole verse: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). Question, why do we come before “the throne of grace?” My brethren, it is to “obain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need!”
In conclusion, what would we do without him who is seated “at the right hand of the Majesty on high?” We would stand condemned, without hope, without any idea of forgiveness of our sins; therefore, let us continually give thanks to God, “the Majesty on high,” for his love and to him who is sitting at the right had of him who is the Majesty on high!
Frank R. Williams