Is Jesus Michael the Archangel?

 Is Jesus Michael the Archangel? 

The Watchtower and Bible Tract Society (JW.org) teaches that Jesus himself is the Archangel Michael.

Let's look at the Bible for our answer. 

Using the New World Translation, the preferred bible of the Watch Tower. 

By the way some things are underlined to emphasis what the Scripture is saying. 

Let us begin...

Who is Michael the Archangel? 

 "But when Miʹcha·el the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body, he did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms, but said: “May Jehovah rebuke you.” (Jude 1:9)

• Here "Michael the Archangel" is mentioned and is having a difference or dispute with the Devil over the body of Moses. 
• In Rev 12:7, (which is quoted below) "Michael" is mentioned with his angels. 
• Archangel means "an angel of high rank." 

But is Jesus Michael the Archangel as JW.org teaches? 

Can we find our answer in the Bible? 

Let's explore that using the New World Translation bible...

Jesus coming with his angels

"because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first." (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

• Here we are told that the Lord will descend from heaven "with an archangel's voice" 

Does this mean that Jesus is in fact an archangel as some believe?

Or does this mean that Jesus' coming will be announced by an archangel?

I think the Bible speaks for itself on this.

• The text clearly intends to say that Jesus is coming with his angels. No where is the Bible does it say that Jesus is the Archangel Michael. 

You really have to stretch the text to come to that conclusion; don't you think?

These next verses have some clues.

"But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels" (2 Thessalonians 1:7)

“When the Son of mans comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne." (Matthew 15:31)

"For the Son of man is to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will repay each one according to his behavior." (Matthew 16:27)

"The Son of man will send his angels, and they will collect out from his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and people who practice lawlessness," (Matthew 13:41) 

"And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity." (Matthew 24:31)

• These verses shows us the context of verse 1 Thessalonians 4:16. 
• When Jesus comes in his glory, his angels will be with him. 
• There will also be the sound of God's trumpet. 
• The coming of the Lord will be ACCOUNCED by an angel.

"Suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood before them, and Jehovah’s glory gleamed around them, and they became very fearful. But the angel said to them: “Do not be afraid, for look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have. For today there was born to you in David’s city a savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:9-11)

• It was God's angel who announced to the Shepard's of the birth of the Savior. 
• And it's an angel who will announce Christ's return. 

Check out these next verses...

 "Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: “Glory in the heights above to God, and on earth peace among men of goodwill.” (Luke 2:13-14)

• Notice that with Jehovah's angel was "a multitude of the heavenly army" 
• The Bible tells us that it was Gabriel in (Luke 1:26) who announced to Mary the conception of Jesus.
• It was Gabriel who announced to Zachariah of the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-19)
• And we can conclude then that it was most likely Gabriel who announced Christ's birth to the Shepherds. 
• Gabriel is most likely an archangel or Angel of high rank.
• In fact, Gabriel is considered an archangel in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
• We read in (Luke 2) as quoted, that the angel who was present at Christ's birth had a heavenly army.
• This angel was most likely Gabriel, the same angel who announced to Mary about the conception of Jesus. 

This will be important as you read on. 

Angel armies 

 "And war broke out in heaven: Miʹcha·el and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled" (Revelation 12:7) 

•  JW.org says "...the Bible speaks of both Michael and “his angels” and Jesus and “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." 

Consider these next verses.

"Also, the armies in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. And out of his mouth protrudes a sharp, long sword with which to strike the nations, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. Moreover, he treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his outer garment, yes, on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." Revelation 19:14-16

• It is clear that there are multiple armies in heaven.
• Rev 19 says "the armies in heaven" plural.  
• So far, we have seen that Michael has an army, and Gabriel has an army.
• Jesus also has an army, but Jesus is the leader of angel armies!
• Jesus is not Michael; Jesus is Michaels Lord, and commander of the angel armies.
• Michael and the angel armies are subject to Jesus Christ! 
• And will accompany him when he returns.  

"He is at God’s right hand, for he went to heaven, and angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him." (1 Peter 3:22)

• Since the angel armies are subject to Christ, these armies are his as well. 
• And will come with him to announce his return.
• Announce his return "with an archangels call" 
• And trumpets sound. 

More Bible passages on why Jesus is not the same as the archangel Michael

Long ago God spoke to our forefathers by means of the prophets on many occasions and in many ways. Now at the end of these days he has spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of his very being, and he sustains all things by the word of his power. And after he had made a purification for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So he has become better than the angels to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs.

For example, to which one of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; today I have become your father”? And again: “I will become his father, and he will become my son”? But when he again brings his Firstborn into the inhabited earth, he says: “And let all of God’s angels do obeisance to him.”

Also, he says about the angels: “He makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”  But about the Son, he says: “God is your throne forever and ever, and the scepter of your Kingdom is the scepter of uprightness.  You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness. That is why God, your God, anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your companions.” And: “At the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; and just like a garment, they will all wear out, and you will wrap them up just as a cloak, as a garment, and they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never come to an end.”

But about which of the angels has he ever said: “Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet”? Are they not all spirits for holy service, sent out to minister for those who are going to inherit salvation? (Hebrew 1:1-14)

• Here we learn that Jesus "is the reflection of God's Glory and the exact representation of his very being and sustains all things by the word of his power"
• And that Jesus "has become better than the angels"
• In Hebrews 1:5 we see the rhetorical question being asked "to which one of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; today I have become your father”?
• The answer is NONE! 
• Also we read in verse 6 that the angels do obeisance to Jesus! 

Let's look at the King James Bible for comparison context for Hebrew 1:6

"And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." Heb 1:6 KJV

• Here in the King James we read that the angels worship Jesus.
• Obeisance literally means "to bow" or "kneel" or to pay homage. 
• When we look at the Greek we see "proskynēsatōsan" a verb defined as (to do reverence to)
• "proskynēsatōsan" from pros and kuneó (to kiss)
• "proskynēsatōsan" is a lot like the English word "prostrate" which comes down to us from the Latin language and means "lying face-down, at length on the ground" (in submission, supplication, humility, worship, etc.)

To conclude this article.

If you are one of the Jehovah's Witnesses and have made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope it can help you have a better understanding of who Jesus is. In fact, that is my goal for this blog.

Please consider this last quote which is from the Watchtower. It goes to show that the belief that Jesus is Michael the Archangel is NOT something that has always been taught by the WTS. If fact is shows that the Watchtower under it's founder Charles Taz Russell, once taught the exact opposite of of this teaching. 

"Let all angels worship Jesus. That includes Micheal, the chief angel, hence, Michael is not the son of God" Watchtower 1879

With all that being said you might want to ask yourself why did the Watchtower make this doctrinal switch from Michael is not the son of God, Jesus, to teaching that Jesus is Michael the Archangel?

And if God speaks through the Watchtower, was God lying in 1879?

Or is God lying today with this very opposite teaching?

Or God isn't lying at all, because God never lies! 

And that, God does not speak through the Watchtower or Governing Body of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

 

And what is being taught by them is mere human interpretation that is often wrong. 

What is the Bible really showing us?