The Messiah at God’s right hand making intercession is an allusion to Psalm 110, which is understood apocalyptically elsewhere in the New Testament (cf. Acts 2:34f.; Heb. 10:12f.; 1 Peter 3:22). Thus, the Messiah is presently at the right hand of God waiting to make his enemies his footstool (Ps. 110:1), interceding as a priest in the order of Melchizedek (v. 4), and soon returning “on the day of his wrath” (v. 5) to shatter kings and “execute judgment among the nations” (v. 6). This eschatological judgment seems to be in view when Paul asks, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?” (Rom. 8:33). His answer is terse, “It is God who justifies” The death of the Messiah (“Christ Jesus is the one who died,” v. 34) is understood in view of the eschatological judgment and restoration, an acquittal of the charges inherent to the eschatological courtroom. Paul’s primary concern, however, is not in detailing these events, but rather discipleship and a perseverant response to the death of the Messiah in light of such an apocalyptic hope. -John P. Harrigan