Jesus is NOT Michael the archangel.
The JW (and some other denominations) believe that the Archangel Michael is Jesus Christ in his pre human form.
They state on their website “The Bible indicates that Michael is another name for Jesus Christ, before and after his life on earth.” JW.org
Most Christians reject this teaching, however, there are a number of verses and assumptions that are used by the JW in order to prove this claim, although, JW are not the only denomination to teach this. In this writing I will deal with those verses and assumptions and show that Michael the Archangel is not and never was Jesus Christ at any time.
The first claim is based simply on the fact that other people in the Bible are known by other names
“At times, individuals are known by more than one name. For example, the patriarch Jacob is also known as Israel, and the apostle Peter, as Simon. “ JW.org
We do see this is true:
Genesis 35:10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
Not to forget that Abraham’s name was changed from Abram.
Genesis 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
So just as others are known by other names so is Michael and Jesus. The claim may seem on the face of it to hold some water, however, if we just look a little more in depth and analyze the claim we will see that there really isn’t any basis that this claim can actually work. First off, in all of these instances the name change was announced. It is declared that the name was being changed, it doesn’t just happen without first being declared. We do not have to assume anything for it is clearly written in scripture.
There, however, is no Biblical verse to announce the change of name from Michael to Jesus or the other way around when Jesus became Michael again. So it has to simply be assumed that this is what happened because there is NO Biblical evidence for it having happened, despite, as the Biblical evidence shows, it requires a Biblical proclamation.
The second and far more important thing to notice is that with the change of name there is no change in being of the person whose name is being changed. It is only the name that changes not who the being is. Abraham was and remained a man after he was no longer called Abram, just like Jacob and Simon when they were called Israel and Peter respectfully after their name was changed. The JW own claim states “At times, individuals are known by more than one name” But Michael who was an angel would have had to have changed from an angel and become a man once he became Jesus. Jesus the man would then have to change from a man back into an angel to once again become Michael the angel . There is no scriptural support for a name change also meaning that a person or being changes the essence of what or who they are. There is also no biblical attestation that this happened with Michael and Jesus. Again the Biblical support does not in fact support the actual claim being made.
The JW claim that there is only one Archangel
“Archangel. God’s Word refers to Michael “the archangel.” (Jude 9) This term means “chief angel.” Notice that Michael is called the archangel. This suggests that there is only one such angel. In fact, the term “archangel” occurs in the Bible only in the singular, never in the plural. ” JW.org
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
It is true that Michael is referred to as THE archangel and nowhere else in scripture is any other angel called an archangel (Gabriel is believed to be an archangel although he is never referred to as such in scripture. He is called this in the book of Enoch which is not part of the inspired text of God.) This does not in of itself offer any actual support for Michael being Jesus but it is used to support a verse that is used to prove michael is indeed Jesus Christ in 1 thess 4:16 where Jesus descends from heaven with the voice of the arc angel.
The JW claim
“Jesus is linked with the office of archangel. Regarding the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 states: “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice.” Thus the voice of Jesus is described as being that of an archangel. This scripture therefore suggests that Jesus himself is the archangel Michael.” JW.org
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
If Jesus will be the one speaking, as it is Jesus himself who speaks with the voice of the archangel, then we must ignore the obvious illogical problem of Jesus not being an archangel (or being Michael) when he is Jesus, and so when he is Jesus at his return how can he also speak with the voice of an archangel as that would be Michael? Jesus would speak with a man’s voice as Jesus is a man. It must also be argued that if Jesus speaks with the voice of the archangel that Jesus is also the trump(et) of God. The word translated as “with” is the same in both incidences in the passage, en ἐν, which literally means in, on or among and not literally with. With, in this context means as well as. Just as if i said I went to the cinema WITH my girlfriend. I am referring to myself as well as my girlfriend.
The Greek does not say with the or an archangels voice, but with the voice of AN archangel.
ὅτι αὐτὸς ὁ κύριος ἐν κελεύσματι ἐν φωνῇ ἀρχαγγέλου καὶ ἐν σάλπιγγι θεοῦ καταβήσεται ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ καὶ οἱ νεκροὶ ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναστήσονται πρῶτον
Because himself the Lord with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with (the) trump of God will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first
When Jesus returns he will return WITH (as well as) the trump of God meaning there will be a trump of God And WITH (as well as) the voice of the archangel meaning the archangel will speak at his return. (the achangel will announce the return of Jesus).
Biblical attestation says that when angels speak it is also referred to as a trump of God.
Another claim made by the JW is that both Michael and Jesus and THEIR angels fight against the devil
Revelation 12:7 Michael battles with the devil
Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Revelation 19:14-16 Jesus and his angels battle with the devil
Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
2 Thessalonians 1;7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
So the JW claim
“Army Leader. The Bible states that “Michael and his angels battled with the dragon . . . and it’s angels.” (Revelation 12:7) Thus, Michael is the Leader of an army of faithful angels. Revelation also describes Jesus as the Leader of an army of faithful angels. (Revelation 19:14-16) And the apostle Paul specifically mentions “the Lord Jesus” and “his powerful angels.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7) So the Bible speaks of both Michael and “his angels” and Jesus and “his angels.” (Matthew 13:41; 16:27; 24:31;1 Peter 3:22) Since God’s Word nowhere indicates that there are two armies of faithful angels in heaven—one headed by Michael and one headed by Jesus—it is logical to conclude that Michael is none other than Jesus Christ in his heavenly role.” * JW.org
I shall give a part of my writing the alpha and the omega that deals with and explains this.
“Revelation 1:11 is pretty simple. It is a perfect declaration of the line in which the testimony was given.
God declares he is the alpha and the Omega, John turns to see who is talking. It is the angel (as already shown) He declares to be the Alpha and the Omega (which obviously is not the angel but God)
This is John being given the revelation by the Alpha and the Omega. Although the actual revelation was given by the angel who was like the son of man (Jesus). The Angel acts as and represents both God and Jesus. He announces himself as God then after John sees that it is an angel the angel then speaks for Jesus. Once we understand that God speaks through others but when they speak for God they speak AS God this “line” is as if God was speaking directly to John.
There is a line of command.
The angels are subject to Jesus which is why they are HIS angels and why states he sent HIS angel to testify in revelation 22-16
1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
but Jesus is subject to God.
1 corinthians 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the
Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
The angels although subject to Jesus, ultimately are God’s angels. Which Jesus himself declares
Jesus (speaking through the angel) states
Revelation 3:5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
“Since God’s Word nowhere indicates that there are two armies of faithful angels in heaven—one headed by Michael and one headed by Jesus—it is logical to conclude that Michael is none other than Jesus Christ in his heavenly role. *” JW.org
If the there is no indication of 2 armies of faithful angels indicates that Jesus must be the archangel Michael then as there is also no indication of 2 sets of angels one that the father commands that do not fight and one that Jesus/Michael commands that do this must also indicate that both Jesus and Michael are the father.
We see that just like in any army there is a line of command. Just as a captain can call the men under his command “his” men this in no way means that they are his. The captain himself is subject to the General who could also call the same men “his” men which would include the captain himself. This line of command can continue unto the very top. Just as Michael and “his” angels also come under Jesus and “his “ angels which also include Michael. Ultimately they all come under the “command” of God, the angels are Gods.
Seeing the JW rejects the deity of Jesus they cannot then also argue that Gods angels are the angels of Jesus which they could if they believed that Jesus was God.
If Jesus is NOT God how can God have his angels. Does God have separate angels that are not part of the army of Jesus ? The argument simply crumbles under scrutiny.
Yet another claim is that both Michael and Jesus intercede for Israel
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
1 timothy 2:5 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
However if we simply use this intercession as basis on which to say one is the other then we have a problem as there are numerous people in the Bible who intercede for God’s people, Moses for example.
Exodus 32:30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. 31And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. 32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin�; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. 34 Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. 35And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.
Scripture also states that the Holy spirit intercedes for us.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Simply offering persons who have the same role or who do the same thing as proof that one is the other again defeats itself when we look at the whole of scripture rather than just the passages we wish to use to prove a teaching.
Even if we ignore the fact that nowhere in the Bible does it state that Michael and Jesus are the same person something that the JW use to argue against the trinity ” For one thing, the Bible does not mention the word “Trinity.” JW.org Scripture does not support the teaching that Michael is Jesus.
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