Is Jesus in heaven? Where is Jesus now?

TL;DR:

Jesus is in heaven at the right hand of God. Yet Jesus is also with us now through the Holy Spirit, guiding, comforting, and empowering us in every moment.

Scripture indicates that Jesus is currently exalted in heaven at the right hand of God, holding a place of divine honor and authority as prophesied in Psalm 110:1 and confirmed by the New Testament. After His resurrection, He appeared to many witnesses, including over five hundred people, before ascending visibly into heaven, affirming His victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:6-7; Luke 24:50-51). While Jesus reigns in heaven, He is not distant; through the Holy Spirit, He is present with believers, guiding, comforting, and empowering them in every situation (John 14:16-17, 26). Jesus’ omnipresence reminds us that God is not limited to any physical space (Matthew 28:20). This dual reality—Jesus exalted in heaven yet actively present now—offers us assurance, comfort, and confidence for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Understanding that He reigns above while also dwelling within us encourages us in whatever we face in life, knowing that His power and love are always available to sustain and guide us (Ephesians 3:16-17; Philippians 4:13).

from the old testament

In Psalm 110:1, David writes, "The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'" That is, "Yahweh says to Adonai …" This is a conversation between two Persons of the Godhead.
David rhetorically asks the Lord, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). God is omnipresent.

from the new testament

Jesus is in heaven right now, at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19; 1 Peter 3:22).
Before he was stoned, Stephen was given a view into heaven. Acts 7:55 says, "But he [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'"
Jesus applies Psalm 110:1 to Himself in Matthew 22:43–45, claiming that He is not just a son of David, but David's Lord. Jesus has the place of divine honor at the right hand of God.
After Jesus died and was buried, He rose again to life and appeared to more than five hundred people during the next forty days (1 Corinthians 15:6-7). Then, He ascended to heaven (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11). This wasn't a flash of light and Jesus was gone, but people saw Him rise up off the ground and into a cloud. Two men there dressed in white, possibly angels, told them Jesus would return the same way (Acts 1:11).

implications for today

Heaven is where Jesus currently reigns at the right hand of God (Matthew 26:64; Luke 22:69; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 12:2). From there, He is preparing a place for all who have trusted in Him, promising that one day they will be brought into His eternal presence to live with God forever (John 14:2-3). Yet heaven is not the limit of His presence.

In a spiritual sense, Jesus is also with us now, guiding, comforting, and empowering us as His followers (Matthew 28:20). As fully God, Jesus shares in the divine attribute of omnipresence; He is not confined to a physical location. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are present everywhere, sustaining creation and interacting with His people at all times. Solomon, who had built the first temple of God, realized that no building could contain the Lord: “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” ” (1 Kings 8:27). This truth has practical implications for our lives: Jesus is near when we pray, walks with us in our struggles, and strengthens us for every challenge. Knowing He is both exalted in heaven and intimately present now encourages us to live with confidence, hope, and bold faith, trusting that His power and love are always available to sustain and guide us.

understand

Jesus reigns in heaven at God’s right hand.
Jesus is also present with believers now through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ heavenly reign and spiritual presence encourage and empower us for faith and life.

reflect

How does knowing Jesus reigns in heaven at God’s right hand affect your confidence in His authority and power?
How have you experienced Jesus’ presence through the Holy Spirit guiding, comforting, or empowering you?
How does understanding that Jesus is both exalted in heaven and present with you now influence the way you live your life?

engage

How can we encourage each other to recognize and rely on Jesus’ spiritual presence in our lives?
What does it look like to live with the assurance that Jesus’ heavenly reign supports and strengthens us?
How does the dual reality of Jesus’ exaltation and omnipresence shape our understanding of His presence in our lives?