In casual conversation the other day, a question came up about Jesus Christ and Michael the archangel. Some people teach that Jesus and Michael are the same person. Though I wrote this article many moons ago while doing research, I thought it would be good to share it this week. We cannot put faith in our “own, personal Jesus” for salvation - it must be the Jesus of Holy Scriptures. This article is not an attempt to simply win an argument, but rather to honestly examine a claim in light of The Bible. Let’s look at the following passages, and make an educated decision on the matter.

Dan 10:13

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Dan 10:21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. Dan 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. Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, dare not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke thee”. Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 1Th 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.

The above verses of Scripture are the only Scriptures that mention Michael the archangel, although 1Th 4:16 doesn’t specifically say his name. In no place do these verses say Michael is Lord, God, King, Savior, Sacrifice, Son, Jesus, Christ, Messiah, or Redeemer. Jesus, on the other hand, is referred to by all of theses titles/names.

In Dan 10:13, Michael is called one of the chief princes, meaning there is more than one. However, Jesus is called The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords, and The Son of God - which is singular and exclusive.

A reading of Hebrews chapter 1 clearly shows that no angel was ever called a son like Jesus was (vs. 5), but rather, they were servants (vs.14); also, Jesus was called “much better” than the angels (vs.4); and that God (The Father) called the Son “God” (vs.8), not “angel” or “Michael”.

While Michael would not dare accuse Satan or rebuke him (Jude 1:9), Jesus Christ had no problem doing both (Jn 8:44, Luke 4:8). Also, how could Michael be The Lord, if he calls on The Lord to rebuke Satan for him? Wouldn’t he just say, “I rebuke you”, if he was Lord? There are over 150 verses that refer to Jesus as Lord, but never once is Michael referred to as Lord.

Notice in Revelation 22:8-9, when John fell at the angel’s feet to worship him, the angel would not allow it. He told John to “Worship God”. However, through out the Gospels, when people would fall down at Jesus’ feet, He always allowed it, and never corrected them. Also, Hebrews 1:6 says that all of the angels of God are to worship Jesus.

1Th 4:16 does not say that The Lord is the archangel or sounds like the archangel. It says when The Lord descends from Heaven with a shout, it will be either preceded or followed by the archangel’s voice and the trumpet of God. In the same way the angel announced the first coming of Jesus (Lk 2:9-14), so he will announce the second coming.

Conclusion: A simple reading of the six Scriptures above would never lead one to assume that Jesus is Michael the archangel. In fact, from those Scriptures, you would actually come to the opposite conclusion. A person would have to be “pre-programmed” to believe that Jesus and Michael are the same before they ever read them. If we are honest with Scripture and honest with ourselves, we would have to reject the thought that Jesus and Michael are one. The evidence just simply is not there. The Bible says that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word should be established. This means that there should be at least two, preferably three, Scriptures clearly showing Jesus and Michael to be the same person: and there is not. However, there are too many Scriptures to list showing the clear differences between them. I pray you would carefully consider these things, and that you would let God’s Word - and His Word alone - determine what you believe.

I pray that it is understood that I am not trying to attack or rail on anyone; but I do want to show forth the truth of God’s Word - especially in a day when truth is declared to be relevant. Truth cannot be relevant, or it ceases to be truth. Truth is eternal. Truth is forever settled in heaven. Truth is The Word of God as is contained in The Holy Scriptures. (Mk 13:31, Ps 119:89, Jn 17:17, 2Tim 3:16). I pray you received some truth today. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!