The most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament comes from Psalm 110:1. A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." Sometimes we see only phrases from this verse - "at the right hand of God" or, "until I make your enemies your footstool." As we have a look at the various ways the New Testament authors use these phrases, we will see that it has everything to do with the present reign of Christ and the anticipation of the consummation of all things. Jesus is reigning and will reign until his kingdom is consummated forever with the end of all opposition to his reign. Let's survey some of these verses echoing Psalm 110:1.
1. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God.
Acts 2:32-36 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool."' 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
This is a portion of Peter's sermon at Pentecost. Prior to these verses Peter made it clear that Jesus is the anticipated King in David's line and through his resurrection and ascension, he is now seated on the Davidic throne. This was in fulfillment of Israel looking for their Messianic King to come. With Jesus already installed on the Davidic throne (See 2:30-31), he is currently reigning. Peter quotes Psalm 110:1 to show that his reign in this time will be until all opposition to God's rule is defeated.
Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."
When Jesus was answering to the Jewish council before his crucifixion, they asked him if he was the Messiah. This verse was his answer, and their response was shock and outrage. He is Messiah because he will be seated at the right hand of God and will come in future judgment.
Acts 5:31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
When Peter and other apostles were later arrested, Peter responded to the high priest that he would not disobey God and cease preaching the gospel. Immediately after that is a great reason why. The Jesus he serves has been exalted and is the reigning King at the right hand of God. His power is displayed through the gospel bringing salvation to Israel.
Hebrews 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
The Author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus sat down to reign with his work of salvation completed because he has made a once and for all sacrifice for sins. We can be assured that Jesus' reign commenced at the completion of his saving work on the cross.
Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Paul is encouraging the church in Rome that they can have full confidence in God's sovereign grace in salvation. The reason is because Jesus is now both reigning on the throne and interceding for us as the eternal Great High Priest and King.
There are more verses that quote this phrase from Psalm 110 that Jesus is at the right hand of God. Every time we see them, we should be reminded that the New Testament authors quote this Psalm not because Jesus will reign, but because he is presently reigning.
2. Jesus is reigning at the right hand of God until all enemies are defeated.
1 Corinthians 15:24-26 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death..
When Paul was giving Corinth his strongest argument for the importance of the resurrection of Christ, he also pointed them to the fact that he will also be returning in glory and for final judgment and salvation. As Paul talked about the return of Christ, he also made this very explicit comment about what will happen. When Jesus returns, the kingdom will come to its final consummation. That consummation will be seen in two major ways. Firstly, all the enemies of God's kingdom will be defeated, and the greatest enemy is death.
Secondly, Paul uses Psalm 110:1 to show that the phrase about all enemies being put under Jesus' feet is clearly pointing to his final return on the last day. At that time the kingdom in this present world will be completed to become the eternal kingdom on the earth where there will no longer be any opposition to Christ and his church. At that time, Paul says that the kingdom consummated will be handed over to the Father.
In Psalm 110:1, David wrote this about the glorious homecoming statement in heaven between the Father and the Son after Christ's work on the cross. "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." Today we know that Jesus has already obtained victory over his enemies through his work on the cross, but the final defeat of every enemy will be realized on the last day at the consummation of his eternal kingdom.
We wait for that day knowing that we are under the reign of our glorious King right now. Until all his (and our) enemies meet their final judgment, we serve our glorious King.