In the Gospel of Matthew, Salome requests that her sons James and John receive the honor of sitting at the right and left hands of Jesus. He replies that such positions belong only to those for whom they have been prepared by the Father. The same imagery appears in the epistle to the Ephesians, where Paul explains that although believers were once dead in sins and cut off from God, He has raised them and seated them at His right hand in Christ. This placement constitutes the highest position in the Kingdom of God, yet the Father already regards the redeemed as occupying it through Jesus Christ. The description forms part of a larger portrayal of mercy, in which God restores those separated by transgression to the closest possible fellowship with Himself and thereby demonstrates that His mercy endures forever.

The right hand of the Most High stands for all His works, wonders, and doings (Psalm 77:10-15). Because He is the Possessor of heaven and earth, His right hand is continually at work in possessing, which means more than owning; it means keeping, tending, and managing what is His. He is no absentee landlord indifferent to His tenants, and His ownership carries more care and concern than man can fathom. His right hand is especially the instrument of redemption. It secured Lot's freedom from a sinful place, protected Abram when he attacked a superior force, and slew Egypt's firstborn while shielding Israel from the death angel. It also redeems Christians through the forgiveness of sins, made possible by the sinless life of the Son of the Most High. This redemption is the beginning of the blessing by which God equips His people to take on His image. Israel's failure shows the danger of doubting that hand. Though God gave water, manna, and deliverance from Egypt, the people did not trust His salvation or believe He would govern creation favorably for them, and so they provoked His wrath. Remembering what His right hand has done calls for gravity, joy, and thankfulness, and for trust in His nature and character.

Christ's sitting down at the right hand of God followed His visible ascension on the 40th day and marked His enthronement. In Daniel 7 the Son of Man is brought to the Ancient of Days and given dominion, glory, and a kingdom. Psalm 110:1 has the Father say, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool," so the right hand is a place of honor and rulership with the Father. He sits there now, waiting until His enemies are subdued and the Father sends Him back visibly on the clouds. Since His enthronement, angels, authorities, and powers are subject to Him, and He is Head of the church, far above every spiritual power, good or evil (Ephesians 1:19-23; I Peter 3:22). Unlike Helel, who tried to exalt himself, Christ was exalted by the Father and accepted a position under Him. The right hand is also where the Messiah, as Psalm 110:4 and Zechariah 6 foretell, is both King and Priest, a Priest on His throne. Hebrews returns to this position repeatedly. From the right hand, Christ intercedes as High Priest, having entered the heavenly Most Holy Place with His own blood. Because He understands human suffering, believers can come boldly to the throne of grace, hold fast, and look to Him. Pentecost's outpouring of the Spirit was the result and evidence of His exaltation to the Father's right hand (Acts 2:33-36).

The scroll with seven seals rests in the right hand of the Father who sits on the throne, a detail that highlights His sovereignty and the divine origin of the scroll. The right hand signifies might and authority, as in Exodus 15:6, Psalm 20:6, 44:3, 110:1, and Lamentations 2:3-4. The Father's sitting on the throne alludes to coming judgment (Proverbs 20:8; Matthew 27:19; Acts 25:6). No one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is able to open the scroll or look at it, until the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, prevails. He proves worthy by overcoming through conflict: living sinlessly against the pulls of human nature and dying as a perfect sacrifice. This qualifies Him as Redeemer, High Priest, soon-coming King, and Judge of all. Taking up that role, He takes the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sits on the throne (Revelation 5:7). Authority to execute judgment passes from the Father's hand to the Son, who then breaks the seals and looses the Four Horsemen upon a sinful world.