universal dominion, while
here the word employed denotes the fact that His power and operation are
always efficacious and irresistible, and that all things are under His
absolute control. This word "Almighty" warrants the belief which the
clause declares, that the Son, sitting on the right hand of the Father,
possesses absolute and universal power, and that in executing His office
as Mediator none can resist or oppose Him.

The word "sitteth" is expressive not so much of the attitude as of the
settled and continuous character of Christ's exaltation. At God's right
hand in heaven He executes the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, as
He did on earth. The prophet, as teacher of the revealed truth, held
office in Old Testament times; and when Jesus entered on His public
ministry, it was as a Divinely-accredited teacher that He claimed to be
received. He brought out of His treasury things new and old, and
exhorted men to hear, believe, and obey Him. By His words and His life,
He made known the will of God for man's salvation; and when He was
lifted up upon the cross, it was to the end that, by the sacrifice He
offered and the truth He taught, He might draw all men unto Him. He
brought life and immortality to light, and since His departure He has
not ceased to be the Teacher and the Guide of all who receive Him. His
word abides with us, and His first gift to the Church after He rose was
the Holy Ghost, who came to lead men to all truth. When the Lord
ascended on high He received gifts for men, "and he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."[147] It is in Him
that all Christian teaching originates, and through His Spirit that it
takes hold of men's hearts. Our Lord does not indeed now appear in
visible form, speaking face to face with men as He did in Palestine, but
He speaks in and through every believer who in His name seeks to win
souls for His Kingdom. Paul recognised this when he wrote to the
Corinthians, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to
God."[148]

In His exaltation, Christ executes the office of a Priest. The functions
of the Jewish high priest were not limited to the offering of sacrifice.
When he had made an end of offering, he carried the blood of the victim