WHO IS MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL IN THE BIBLE?
Michael seems to be an important individual in heaven. Archangel means "chief of the angels", so Michael must be the chief of the angels. He is the leader of the angels. (Later on this page, we will find out from the Bible that Michael is actually the commander of the Lord's army of angels in heaven.)
The name Michael has an important meaning as well, it means: "(one) who is like God. The computer lexicon describes Michael as: "one of, the chief, or the first archangel who is described as the one who stands in time of conflict for the children of Israel".
There seems to be a lot of confusion about archangels and Michael. Much of our information seems to come from a lot of different sources. On this web page I want to find out what the Bible itself actually says about Michael. So, let's start by looking at the places where Michael is actually mentioned in the Bible.
12. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
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. Daniel 10:12-13
20. Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21. But I will shew 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. Daniel 10: 20-21
In Daniel we find that Michael is one of the chief princes and that He is our prince. That might mean He is in line for the Throne. We also find Him working behind the scenes with Gabriel to ensure that God's will for nations actually occurs.
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.
2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:1-3
Now we see Michael who is called the great prince, standing up, and when he does a time of trouble starts and God's people are delivered. Why is it that God's people are delivered when Michael stands up? Why not God or Jesus? And why is Michael described as standing for the children of thy people?
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. Jude 1:9
In Jude we see Michael confronting Satan when Moses was resurrected. Many people think of Michael as being just an angel. If this is true then why would an angel be used in such a direct confrontation as to confront Satan? Why shouldn't God or Jesus be doing these important confrontations? (By the way, this text can be easily misunderstood. We need to relate it to other parts of the Bible. There is more on Jude 1:9 in the middle and also toward the end of this page.)
7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Revelation 12:7-12
Finally in the book of Revelation, we see that there is a war in heaven. The opposing sides are described as Michael and his angels against the dragon which we know as Satan and his angels. The war in heaven is very important. Why isn't God or Jesus taking part in the war. Why are the angels described as being Michael's angels and not God's or Christ's angels?
Just reading these few texts from the Bible seem to create more questions than answers. Who is Michael anyway? Michael is the archangel, the chief of the angels. He is described as one of the chief princes and our prince. When He stands up, things happen. He is described as standing for the children of thy people. So when He stands, there is a time of trouble that results in God's people being delivered, every one who's name if found written in the book. He contends directly against Satan and the angels in heaven are described as being Michael's angels.
So, I want to ask you a question. Because Michael does things that we might think God or Jesus should be doing: Is it possible that Michael could be Jesus Christ? To answer this question, I will explore the evidence from the Bible.
|
So now I will ask you the same question again, now that you know that I am NOT saying that Jesus is just an angel, or a created being, or has ever been created in the past.
Is it possible that Michael could be Jesus Christ? In other words, is Michael Divine, and not really an actual angel, because He is really Jesus Christ the Son of God?
In the Jewish literature, Michael is described as the highest of the angels and identify him as the angel of Yahweh which is often mentioned in the Old Testament as a Divine being!
In fact I have found that many Bible scholars, such as Charles Spurgeon and Matthew Henry, actually identify Michael as being Christ, the Son of God.
The Voice of the Archangel
Let's start looking into the Word of God for answers. In the New Testament, Michael is easily identified as being Jesus when a few texts are compared. Let's do a comparison right now:
13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
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:
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
In Thessalonians we see that the Lord is descending from heaven and He is shouting with the voice of the archangel. Most people seem to think that it is the archangel that is shouting and not Jesus. Actually there are two possible meanings to the text: (1) the archangel could be shouting for Jesus; or (2) Jesus could be doing the shouting Himself and he is using the voice of an archangel because He is the Archangel.
Some might think there is a third possibility, that two voices are sounding; Both Jesus and the archangel. however, if we look at verse 16 in the Greens Literal translation (below) we will see that this is probably not an option.
16. Because the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a commanding shout of an archangel's voice, and with God's trumpet. And the dead in Christ will rise again first. Thessalonians 4:16 Greens Literal Translation
Now lets see what Christ said when He was on Earth.
25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:25-29
If we compare the two Bible texts above (1 Thessalonians 4:16 and John 5:25-28) we see one of the strongest cases for supporting the idea that Michael is Jesus.
We saw that there were two possible meanings to: "the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a commanding shout of an archangel's voice" 1 Thessalonians 4:16. They are: (1) the archangel could be shouting for Jesus; or (2) Jesus could be doing the shouting Himself and he is using the voice of an archangel because He is the Archangel.
Which one is it?
John 5:25,28 solves the problem: "the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God". So in 1 Thessalonians, its the archangel's voice, but in John 5, it is the voice of the Son of God! One cannot be wrong and the other right. Michael the Archangel must be Jesus!
Now that we know that it is Jesus Himself who is doing the shouting, we can read 1 Thessalonians 4:16 with new eyes. What 1 Thessalonians 4:16 is really saying, is that Jesus descends from heaven shouting with the voice of the Archangel. This comparison shows that the Archangel really is Jesus.
Also, in both Thessalonians and John we see that the voice causes the resurrection of life. The dead in Christ will rise when they hear His voice! This is the same event and Jesus and Michael must be the same person.
Captain of the Host of the LORD
Let's look in the Old Testament for some more evidence. In the book of Joshua, we see that Joshua also saw Michael the Archangel:
13. And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14. And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
15. And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
1. Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.
2. And the LORD said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. Joshua 5:13-6:2
This account in the book of Joshua is very interesting because we can now "nail down" who Joshua saw. Joshua met the captain of the Lord's host and we find that it is the Lord! Joshua worshiped Him, and He did not stop Joshua in his worship. In fact, The Lord actually encouraged Joshua to worship Him! This is very significant.
In Revelation, when John tried to worship an angel, the angel told him not to do that: "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10) We are only to worship God!
So, what Joshua saw was the Lord! Joshua is told that this ground is holy and to take off his shoes. He is in the presence of the Lord. Also, we see that this Divine Being accepted the worship and the reverence that Joshua gave Him. He actually invited Joshua to worship and reverence Him! Angels will not accept worship at all. When John tried to give honor to an angel, the angel stopped him.
We also see that Jesus accepted worship when He was on earth! Many times, Jesus accepted the worship of the people around Him (Matthew 14:33; 28:9,17; Luke 24:52; John 9:38; Hebrews 1:6).
This Divine Being must be Jesus because Jesus Himself said that no one has ever seen God and that He is the one who has communicated with man:
18. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1:18
Joshua had talked to this Divine Being face to face.
10. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
11. searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 1 Peter 1:10-11.
It was the Spirit of Christ that has always communicating with the prophets of old.
So, if the Spirit of Christ had inspired the prophets of the Old Testament, then it makes very good sense to say that Joshua talked to Jesus. After all, Jesus is the word of God! Jesus has been the one who has communicated with man. This is why "No one has seen God at any time".
Lets look at it from another prospective. In much of the Old Testament, this Being is identified as the angel of the Lord, but to Joshua, He identifies Himself as the captain of the Lord's Host! Who is that? Who is the captain of the Lord's Host?
In Revelation 12:7 we saw that it is Michael that led the angel forces in Heaven.
7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, Revelation 12:7
Now we find that the angels in Heaven are Michael's angels and that Michael leads His angels in battle against Satan! So, we can see that Michael is indeed the Captain of the angels. He is their leader.
Putting Joshua 5 and Revelation 12 together, we see that Joshua saw a man who identified Himself as the Captain of the host of the Lord. That man was also identified as being the Lord in Chapter 6. Archangel means the chief of the angels. He is the Chief of the angels! He is their commander, the Commander of the LORD'S army in Heaven, God's angels. This is Michael the Archangel, the Captain of the host of the Lord, who is also the Lord!
The Word is the Captain of the Host
Now, in Revelation 19, we see a very interesting change in the leader of the armies of heaven. Michael will be called by a different name.
11. Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
13. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Revelation 19:11-14
We now see in verse 13 that it is The Word of God who leads the armies of heaven! From John 1:1 we read: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. So, the Word of God is Jesus. Jesus is leading the armies of heaven!
Before in Revelation 12 we saw that it was Michael who was leading the army of angels. Now in Revelation 19 it is Jesus. Why the change?
Things have changed. Jesus now has aspects of Himself that did not even exist before He came to the earth. Jesus is now called by a new name which no one knows: Revelation 3:12 "And I will write on him My new name." and in Revelation 19:12 "He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.".
His description is also changed. He is now called "Faithful and True" (see Revelation 3:14). And His robe is dipped in blood. This is indeed Jesus. and He is identified in a way that reflects what He has done for us.
We can also see that Jesus now has eyes like a flame of fire [Revelation 19:12] and He also has many crowns on His head.
15. For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire.
16. For by fire and by His sword The LORD will judge all flesh; And the slain of the LORD shall be many. Isaiah 66:15-16.
These descriptions of Jesus when He comes back to battle against Satan to take back the world show that He has changed from before. These descriptions also show that Jesus has now been given authority to combat Satan and to judge all flesh.
So, what is it that makes this change in Jesus? Obviously, His dying on the Cross is the answer. Jesus is now called Faithful and true. His robe is dipped in blood but also His eyes now are like a flame of fire and He has many crowns on His head.
But that is not the only reason for the change. There is a court session in heaven that is to take place. At that time Satan's dominion will be taken away from him, and Jesus Himself is the one who will then lead the armies of Heaven to judge and make war against Satan.
26. But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his [Satan's] dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. Daniel 7:26.
In Revelation, we find that this heavenly court will give everything to the Father and Jesus when the seventh angel sounds:
15. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Revelation 11:15-18
So, it will not be until the Seventh Trumpet sounds that the Kingdom of God will also include the kingdoms of this world, which is the earth. At that time, Jesus will reign for ever and ever and all the angels of heaven will rejoice because Jesus has taken His great power and has finally began to reign.
This is the reason for the change. Now Jesus is called faithful and true, His robe is dipped in blood. And now He is called by a new name. His eyes are like a flame of fire and He has many crowns on His head. It is at that time that He makes war against Satan and his dominion and the armies of heaven follow Him.
As we continue in Revelation 19 we can see that in verses 14, 19, and 20; the army of heaven is indeed His army.
14. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
19. And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
20. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. Revelation 19:14, 19-21
Satan gathers together all his armies to battle against Jesus and His army in the final battle in the time of the end. This is when Satan is utterly defeated and all those who follow Satan are either placed alive in the lake of fire or they are killed with the sword (Rev 19:21). (In Revelation 20:1-3,7-10, we see that Satan is bound for 1000 years before he is completely destroyed.)
So, In Joshua 5 and Revelation 12 we saw that Michael is the chief of the angels. He is the leader of the armies of angels in heaven. But in Revelation 19 we see that it is Jesus Himself who leads the armies of heaven against Satan and his armies. It is the same person. Its just that Michael/Jesus has a new name.
Remember that we already saw that "the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a commanding shout of an archangel's voice" 1 thessalonians 4:16 and we also saw that "the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God" John 5:25..
So when Jesus comes to reward His sleeping saints He will shout with a voice that is identified as both that of the archangel and that of the Son of God.
Jesus utterly defeats Satan at the same time He brings back the righteous dead to life.
30. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30-31.
This all shows that Michael the Archangel must be Jesus and is fully divine. He is also the chief of the angels, or the captain of the host of the Lord. He is the one who leads the angels to victory and He destroys Satan and his dominion!
The Angel of the Lord
Let's look at this subject from another angle. Jesus is called the Word of God:
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2. He was in the beginning with God.
3. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-3,14
So Jesus must be the one who speaks to us, since He is the Word. Then He became a man and lived among us.
18. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1:18
It is Jesus who has declared the Father. This makes sense since He is the Word of God. He is the one who expresses the thoughts of God. Also, which is interesting; No one has seen God (the Father) at any time. If no one has ever seen the Father, then it must have been Jesus, or Michael who was seen by Moses and the others throughout history.
When Steven was brought before the Jewish Leaders in the Sanhedrin, just before he was stoned; Stephen started telling the story of their fathers. In that story, he says that Moses talked with the Angel on Mount Sinai.
37. "This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear'.
38. "This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us, Acts 7:37-38.
Stephen's story agrees with John 1:18 in the specific example of Moses, saying that Moses actually talked to the Angel or Michael the Archangel on Mount Sinai.
Look at this text:
10. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
11. searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 1 Peter 1:10-11.
In the text above, we find that it was the Spirit of Christ that was in them. It was His spirit, the Spirit of Christ that inspired the prophets in the times of the Old Testament.
So, if the Spirit of Christ had inspired the prophets of the Old Testament, then it makes very good sense when John says that Jesus declares the Father to the world. After all, Jesus is the word of God! If Jesus has been the one who has communicated with man then we can see why "No one has seen God at any time".
Early on, in the Exodus, God promised to send an Angel to go before them.
20. Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
21. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. Exodus 23:20-21
So, this Angel has God's name. He has the name of Jehovah or Yahweh (YHWH) because God's name is in Him.
Now Paul just comes out with it and tells us that this Angel is Jesus!
1. Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,
2. all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
3. all ate the same spiritual food,
4. and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.
That Rock was Christ. Who is Paul talking about? Let's go to Exodus and find specifically who it is that Paul is referring to, because I have always thought that the angel led them. He didn't follow the camp of Israel, did He?
19. And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.
20. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.
21. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.
22. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
23. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all PharaohÕs horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24. Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. Exodus 14:19-24.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 is specifically speaking of the crossing of the red sea and of that cloud where God was. So Paul identifies Him as Jesus. Now in Exodus, we see that it is the Angel of God who is in the cloud that went behind to go between the camp of Israel and the Egyptians.
So Paul is clearly saying that the Angel of God is Jesus. When the LORD looks down and causes trouble for the Egyptians, we now know that it was Jesus who did these things because He has God's name in Him.
Isaiah adds to this thought by saying that the Angel of His Presence has saved, redeemed, and carried Israel all throughout the days of old. Isaiah says that this angel became their Savior!
7. I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD And the praises of the LORD, According to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
8. For He said, "Surely they are My people, Children who will not lie." So He became their Savior.
9. In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old. Isaiah 63:7-9
So the angel that has The Father's name in Him, who is also called the Angel of His Presence has always been the Savior of Israel all through the days of old. He has saved, redeemed, and carried them. It is no wonder that Paul identifies Him as being Christ.
These things about the Angel of God help to confirm that it has always been Jesus all along who has led God's people, even through all the days of old.
18. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1:18
It has been Jesus all along who has lead God's people! And He has been identified as the Angel of God and the Angel of His Presence.
Now, let's get back to God's name, the idea that "My name is in Him". To the Hebrews at the time, it meant, "He is my heir, my descendent, the one who will carry on my legacy" (Examples of this same use of language for heirs of Abraham and others are found in: Gen 48:16, Isa. 66:22, Deut. 25:6-7, 2Sam. 14:7). This idea of having God say: "My name is in Him", agrees with what is written in Hebrews about Jesus:
4. having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5. For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? Hebrews 1:4-5.
Elsewhere, in the Bible, we find that Jesus is the Son of God. He is not a created being, but rather, He is the Son of God. So naturally, Jesus has a more excellent name by inheritance than the angels.
Now, lets look into something that is very interesting, and I think, very powerful. When The Angel of the LORD appears before Manoah and his wife, which are Samson's parents; The Angel of the LORD says something different. He identifies Himself as having a name that is wonderful!
15. Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, "Please let us detain You, and we will prepare a young goat for You."
16. And the Angel of the LORD said to Manoah, "Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD." (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the LORD.)
17. Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, "What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?
18. And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?
19. So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the LORD. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on--
20. it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar--the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.
21. When the Angel of the LORD appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, then Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the LORD.
22. And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God!"
23. But his wife said to him, "If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have told us such things as these at this time." Judges 13:15-23
Who's name is it that is wonderful? It is none other than Jesus Christ!
6. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
The Hebrew word for "wonderful" in Judges 13:18 is the very same Hebrew word for "Wonderful" in isaiah 9:6. The Strong index number is 6382 and it means incomprehensible, beyond our understanding, wonderful.
So The Angel of the LORD says that his name is wonderful. His name is beyond our understanding and it is incomprehensible to us. In Isaiah 9:6, we find that Jesus' name is also incomprehensible and beyond our understanding. Jesus and the Angel of the Lord are described in the same way.
So, the Angel of the LORD's name is wondeful and we know from Exodus 23 that God's name is in Him. Both of these points help us to identify the Angel of the Lord as Jesus because He has a more excellent name. We are actually looking at one who's name is incomprehensible to us and beyond our understanding. We are looking at the Son of God!
We have already seen that He is also called the Angel of God's Presence!
8. For He said, "Surely they are My people, Children who will not lie." So He became their Savior.
9. In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old. Isaiah 63:8-9
The description of the Angel of God's Presence describes an activity that is Divine in nature where He became their Savior and was afflicted in all their affliction. In His pity, He redeemed them.
So, this angel was the Angel of God's Presence, the Angel in whom was the Name of the Great GOD, and His name is Wonderful!
In the Jewish literature, Michael is associated with the Angel of the LORD which is often mentioned in the Old Testament as a divine being. Lets look through the Old Testament to see if any further clues can be gathered. You will see many indications showing that the angel of the LORD is indeed God!
Perhaps the best Old Testament source for connecting the angel of the Lord with God is the burning bush experience of Moses:
2. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
5. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
6. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
7. And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; Exodus 3:2-7
The angel of the Lord appears before Moses in a burning bush that does not burn up, yet as we read into the experience (above) we see that it is God Himself. Also notice that the same thing that was told Joshua was also told Moses. Both were instructed to take off their shoes since they were now standing on holy ground. It is because they were now in the presence of God! This must be none other than Jesus/Michael the Archangel!
Later, when asked what His name was, He identified Himself as: "I am".
13. Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"
14. And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
15. Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.' Exodus 3:13-15
In verse 15 we have a very interesting statement: This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations. In Isaiah, we see that His people will know Him by His name and when He comes, they will know it:
6. "Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: 'Behold, it is I.'" Isaiah 52:6
Who is it that is speaking here in Isaiah? When Jesus was saying: Behold, it is I, many rejected Him, but His people knew Him!
When Jesus was on earth, He also identified Himself as "I am".
56. "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."
57. Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"
58. Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
59. Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 8:57-59
Jesus used the same name that He used in talking to Moses. Everyone knew Who Jesus was referring to when He said "I AM", and they acted immediately. They picked up stones to stone Him because Jesus was telling them that He is the "I AM", He is the God of the Old Testament who spoke to the various patriarchs.
Another interesting point is what Jesus said in verse 56. Jesus told the Jews that Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus in His day. He appariently said it in such a way that the Jews realized that Jesus was saying that He knew Abraham personally and had talked with him. They were incredulous: You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?
It should be clear that Jesus was actually identifying Himself as the I AM, that it was He who had talked to Abraham and Moses. By saying: I AM, He was specifically quoting the Old Testament. And He knew what would be their reaction, because they knew what "I AM" refered to, and they would not allow themselves to believe that all the prophecies were being fulfilled.
All these Scripture, when put together, help us to realize that the Angel of the LORD is really Jesus. Jesus is I AM. He said that He knew and talked to Abraham and that Abraham knew Him!
Now, in Zechariah 3:1-2, we see another example where the Angel of the Lord is identified as being God. Let's also compare it with Jude 1:9.
The Angel of the LORD | Michael the archangel |
1. Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. | 9. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Jude 1:9 |
In Zechariah, we see Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord. Satan, the accuser, is also present to oppose what the Angel of the Lord is doing. In the second verse, the Angel of the Lord starts speaking to Satan. In this verse The Angel of the Lord is actually called "the LORD". We know that it is not the Father speaking. Why would the Father say: "The Lord rebuke you"? No, it is not the Father. It is the Son! One Lord is speaking of the other Lord.
Jude 1:9 is an interesting parallel which helps to confirm that it is the Angel of the Lord and not the Father who is speaking in Zechariah. Because the Angel of the Lord in Zechariah is doing the very same thing that Michael the archangel does in Jude.
The three things in common that connect Zechariah 3:1-2 and Jude 1:9 are: (1) They are referring to the same person. The Angel of the Lord is Michael the archangel. (2) In both texts, Satan is confronted. (3) Both times, He does not not accuse Satan directly, but he refers the rebuking of Satan to the Father. Both times He says: "the Lord rebuke you". So Satan is approached in the same way.
So we again have the Angel of the Lord as being identified as being the Lord. The Angel of the Lord is shown to be God.
Some use Jude 1:9 to show that Michael and Jesus are not the same individual (Jude 1:9 is more thoroughly discussed at the end of this web page). However we now see that Jude in connection with Zechariah is really an evidence showing that the Angel of the Lord is actually the Lord, it is Jesus.
Jacob also saw and wrestled with a man who turned out to be God:
24. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.Genesis 32:24-30
The angel of the Lord came to Hagar several times. We see that Hagar realized that it was God who talked to her:
7. And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
8. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
10. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
11. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
12. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
13. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? Genesis 16: 7-13
15. And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
17. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
18. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
19. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. Genesis 21:15-19
We also see that while the angel of God was with Hagar that God opened her eyes. Who could it be that will make a great nation of the boy. Not an angel but God. And we see that the speaker identifies Himself as I. "I will make him a great nation". So here we have the angel of God saying that He will make the boy great. Who could this angel be? It is Michael the Archangel who is now called Jesus the anointed one!
In Genesis 22 below, it is very interesting to note that when the Angel of the LORD speaks of God, He speaks in the first person. I will bless thee, I will multiply thy seed, For now I know that you have not withheld your son from me!
10. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
13. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
15. And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16. And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17. That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Genesis 22:10-18
Now look at verses 15 and 16. This is extremely important! The angel of the LORD calls to Abraham out of heaven and says: By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD . . I will bless thee and . . . I will multiply thy seed . . . because you have obeyed my voice. Yes, this suggests to me that it is Jesus who had talked to Abraham!
It is the viewpoint of the author of this web page, using Scripture as evidence as you have seen on this page, that all the interaction we see in the Old Testament, which is usually attributed to God, is actually Jesus or actually Michael the Archangel as He is known in Heaven. I believe that Michael is Jesus Christ. When Joshua saw the Lord, He identified Himself as the captain of the host of the Lord. He is the Archangel! I believe He is the one who came down to die for our sins! After all, doesn't Michael's name mean (one) who is like God?
Would It seem fitting that Jesus would have presented Himself also as an angel? When Jesus was on earth, He presented Himself as a man. Looking at Christ's mission on Earth we see that He acts as the go between, an intercessor. Jesus is the one who connects man with God. It was Christ's mission to show us the Father. It was Christ's mission to show us what the Father is like.
Could it also have been Christ's mission in heaven to show to the angels what the Father is like as well? Some might wonder why this would be necessary since they are all in Heaven where God is. How is this possible to have the angels being deceived about God when they live in Heaven in the presence of God?
We must not forget that there was a war in Heaven. I do not understand why this might be so; How could Lucifer and many of the other angels reject God when they are in the very presence of God? Satan of course, wanted to be God himself and he was some how able to convince other angels to follow him. We also know what Satan is like today; So we know that his position was probably grounded in deceit. Satan must have lied about God in the struggle to convince angels to follow him. After all isn't that what he does now?
Satan did not want the angels to continue to follow God, but rather, he himself wanted the adoration and worship of the angeles in Heaven. Today, Satan does not want any of us to follow God's plan for redemption, so he tries to turn people away from God by lying. He especially lies about God Himself, saying that God is responsible for all the misery on this planet when it is Satan who has caused all the misery.
So, Jesus or Michael was needed to show to the angels in Heaven what the Father is like as He later did for us. If Satan was able to lie about God in Heaven, there must have been a need for Michael to appear, showing what God is really like. Two thirds of the angels in heaven chose to believe Michael and one third sided with Lucifer who became Satan, the Devil. It looks like there was quite a spiritual struggle in Heaven as well as the physical battle that is described to have occurred in Heaven.
Today we seem to be having the same kind of spiritual battle and we have the two opposing leaders that we could follow. We could choose to follow either Jesus or Satan. It is our choice whom we will believe. But thank God, that He has sent His Son down to us so that we may know the truth and be saved!
Difficult Bible Passages About Michael Explained.
|
Lets look at John 8:44 and Jude 1:9 side by side to compare.
Jesus on earth | Michael the archangel |
44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8:44) | 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. Jude 1:9 |
Why would Jesus not accuse Satan directly when they argued over Moses, because while Jesus was on Earth, He certainly did accuse Satan directly.
There are three basic points to consider when we explain the difference between the actions of Jesus on earth versis His actions as Michael.
Point #1: When Jesus rebuked both the Jewish leaders and their father the devil, there were many other people around to listen. I think Jesus said what He said for the benefit of those listening. These people needed to realize that their leaders were leading them in the wrong direction on many issues. These people looked up to the leaders, yet these leaders were preparing them for destruction by their teaching and their rejection of Jesus. They were not good examples to follow.
3. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
4. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
6. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7. greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' Matthew 23:3-7.
12. Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"
13. But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
14. "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."
15. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. Matthew 15:12-15.
When Michael faced Satan, the only audience were possibly angels, both evil and righteous. This occurred long after the angels had decided whom to follow. Remember 2/3 followed Michael, while 1/3 followed Satan. By this time, they all knew the issues involved in the war between Jesus and Satan. In addition, the fate of the evil angels are already decided. There is no reason why Michael would try to convince anyone at this point in time.
Point #2: In the Old Testament, we find another time when Jesus did not accuse Satan directly. It is an example where the Angel of the Lord, whom we know to be Michael the archangel, which we know to be Jesus; He does not directly accurse Satan. Lets look at these Bible verses side-by-side:
The Angel of the LORD | Michael the archangel |
1. Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. | 9. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Jude 1:9 |
In Zechariah, we see Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord. Satan, the accuser, is also present to oppose what the Angel of the Lord is doing. In the second verse, the Angel of the Lord starts speaking to Satan. In this verse The Angel of the Lord is actually called "the LORD". We know that it is not the Father speaking. Why would the Father say: "The Lord rebuke you"? No, it is not the Father, it is the Son! One Lord is speaking of the other Lord. Jesus is speaking about His Father, that His Father will rebuke Satan.
In Jude 1:9, Michael does not directly accuse Satan by saying: "The Lord rebuke you". In Zechariah, we see the same thing. The Angel of the Lord does not directly accuse Satan. He says: "The Lord rebuke you, Satan!" He continues with the following: "The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you? So Michael and the Angel of the Lord do the same thing, they do not accuse Satan directly. It should not be surprising to realize that they are the same individual.
Those who say that Jesus, God's Son, would directly accuse Satan, by saying: "I rebuke thee", must ignore Zechariah 3:2. In Zechariah, we find that the Lord says to Satan: "The Lord rebuke you, Satan!" So we see that Jesus, does not directly accuse Satan. To say that Jesus would not say what He says in Jude 1:9 is not paying close attention to Scripture.
Point #3: Why would Jesus think Satan is a dignitary? To understand the third point, let's look at the context of what is said in Jude 1:9.
4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
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.
10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Jude 1:4-10
Jude is warning of ungodly men coming into the church. The green text indicates the type of sins that will be brought in. The yellow text indicates that God is no respecter of persons. It does not matter who they are, if they follow Satan, they will be destroyed.
In verse 8, speaking evil of dignities, is mentioned as an evil that will come into the Church. Then in verse 9, Jude gave the example of Michael, that even he did not speak evil of Satan, who is the dignitary or leader of our world.
Several questions are in order. Why would Jude think that Satan is a dignitary? What authority does Satan have?
When Jesus was on this earth He Himself said that Satan was the ruler of this ruler.
30. Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
31. "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
32. "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
33. This He said, signifying by what death He would die. John 12:30-33
Also, in the Lord's prayer, Jesus says:
9. "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10
We are still praying for God's will to occur on earth as it is in Heaven. We are praying this because His will is still not yet happening fully. Jesus has not yet taken authority. Yes, that is right. Satan is still the ruler of this world. There is just so much death, destruction, hate, and sorrow all around us. It is still occurring. Jesus still has not taken our world away from Satan, and we know that is true because we are still here living in this sad sinful world!
44. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? Matthew 22:44
Jesus has had to wait until God the Father makes His enemies his footstool.
In Revelation, starting with chapter 4 we see that there is a court session in Heaven. Daniel refers to this same session in Daniel 7:9-10. This occurs at the time of the end. In Revelation we see that there are two witnesses who are here on earth for 3-1/2 years until Satan himself kills them. This is the only time that I know of that Satan actually kills someone himself, personally. In Bible times, it took two people to convict someone. Is this needed for the court proceedings?
Also, Jesus mentioned to the disciples that Satan will sit in the holy place, sitting where he should not sit:
15. "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" "standing where it ought not" (whoever reads, let him understand),
16. "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
21. "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. Matthew 24:15-16,21 (A phrase "standing where it ought not" from Mark 13:14 is added into Matthew 24:15.)
Also, in Daniel 11 & 12 we have Satan putting down the tents of his palace in Jerusalem!
45. "And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. Daniel 11:45
This action seems to be "the straw that breaks the camel's back". When Satan sits down as God, Michael stands up (Daniel 12) and the battle of Armageddon occurs, which is the time of great tribulation spoken of by Jesus:
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. Daniel 12:1
God attacks Satan and his angels and the end of the world comes as Jesus comes to receive His own. Satan has to overstep his authority before God stands up to take away his dominion. There seems to be a legal battle that is occurring between Jesus and Satan.
In Jude 1:9, Michael is not referring to Jesus but to the Father when He says "Lord".
Because of what I have read in Revelation, I see that Satan cannot be taken from his position as prince of this world until all the issues are settled. Some of these events which will help decide the case, for Jesus to win, have not even occurred yet, but they will eventually occur and they will be brought up in the court of heaven, in the last days. So because Michael still does not have the authority that will soon be given to Him, He did not directly rebuke Satan.
Today, Michael is still our prince. He is not yet our King and He has not yet taken authority. It is only much later, which is still in the future, when Satan tries to sit down as God (The Abomination of Desolation) that God stands up and the end of all things comes to be.
Satan has endeavored to overtake God and His Kingdom. Click the link for a more complete Biblical study of Satan's legal battle. From the Scripture evidence shown on the legal battle page it will easily be seen why Michael/Jesus would not yet have His authority and why Satan would still be the ruler of this world.
The time that Jesus will rule the earth (the kingdoms of this world) will not occur until the Seventh Trumpet sounds.
15. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Revelation 11:15-18
It will not be until the Seventh Trumpet sounds that the Kingdom of God will also include the kingdoms of this world, in other words, the earth. See the legal battle page for details.
|
Lets look at Matthew 4:10 and Jude 1:9 side by side to compare.
Jesus on earth | Michael the archangel |
10. Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" Matthew 4:10 | 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. Jude 1:9 |
This question is different than those found in the previous question. In Jude, there is just a conflict of ownership. Michael and Satan were disputing over the body of Moses. The same is also true for Zechariah 3:1-2 which is discussed in the last question. In Zechariah, they are in conflict over Joshua the high priest. However, in Matthew 4:10, Jesus is being tempted to sin against God! In addition, Jesus was tempted in His weakened condition of being human and not having eaten for 30 days. Satan chose Christ's weakest moment.
We are all tempted by the Satan or his evil angels and it is very serious. Jesus often warned about being tempted. In the garden before He was captured, He found His disciples asleep and He warned them:
41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41
At another time when Jesus was at the temple in Jerusalem He told the people:
34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:34-36
We are to watch and pray often that we might be accounted worthy to stand before Jesus. We will not receive His grace and mercy if we do not pray.
Jesus has shown us how we are to win the battle over Satan. Jesus prayed often and when He was attacked by Satan, He resisted the devil:
7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
Jesus quoted Bible verses when He was tempted by Satan and He told Satan to go away from Him. These are some of the same tools we have been given to fight the enemy.
10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18
Jesus used the word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, to fight against Satan. We are also told to put on the whole armour of God so that we are able to stand against the temptations of the devil. Prayer, faith,gospel of peace, righteousness, and the word of God are our tools of warfare. So we are to fight just as Jesus fought Satan and won!
Jesus did not allow Satan's temptations to even be considered. He showed what was truth to counter Satan's lie. That is what we must do. This is why we must memorize Scripture.
|
Let's start with Jesus directly rebuking Satan in Matthew 16:22-23.
Satan was trying to tempt Jesus with the thought that He really didn't have to die. Later on, when Jesus struggled in prayer with His Father, we can clearly see that Jesus did not want to go through with it. But it is also very clear that Jesus wanted God's will to be done over everything else.
So Satan was using Peter to try to get at Jesus to tempt Him:
22. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"
23. But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Matthew 16:22-23
This temptation was truly an offense to Jesus for at least two reasons:
Reason #1: Satan was directly attacking Jesus through Peter. Satan wanted to cause Jesus to sin by getting Him to not want to die for humanity. But Jesus did not give the idea any chance at all, in His mind, of taking hold of His thoughts. Thus Jesus was NOT influenced to side-step His desire to save His people. He immediately stopped the thought and stopped the disscussion by showing how much of an offense the idea was to Him. Jesus was mindful of the things of God while Peter was being led by satanic desires.
In Jude 9, Michael was not being tempted by Satan as a human. Instead, Satan was disputing about the body of Moses. In Matthew, Jesus was being tempted and He responded as we should respond. We should resist the Devel and he will flee from us (James 4:7). (For more information you can check the second question on this page.)
Reason #2: Peter and the rest of the disciples needed to know what was happening for their own salvation. So, I believe that Jesus was also rebuking Satan for the benefit of His disciples. They needed to see that no matter how bad His death would be, that they also needed to be mindful of the things of God. They also needed to know how easy it was for them to be led and tempted by Satan. They especially needed to know how to have victory in Christ!
On the other hand, when Michael faced Satan, the only audience were possibly angels, both evil and righteous. This occurred long after the angels had decided whom to follow. Remember 2/3 followed Michael while 1/3 followed Satan. By this time, they all knew the issues involving the war between Michael and Satan. In addition, the fate of the evil angels are already decided. There is no reason why Michael would try to convince anyone of this group at that point in time.
So, I believe that when Jesus was on earth, He came to save all He could. The people right in front of Him needed to hear His rebuke of Satan. They could benefit from what Jesus said. On the other hand, Satan and his evil angels can no longer benefit from anything that He says. That, I believe, is the difference. (For more information you can check point #1 in first question.)
(You also need to look at Zechariah 3 to look at another issue. I speak about it below.)
Your argument that the Lord must always be Christ is a little weak. First I will look at other books of the Bible and then we will also go back and look at Jude.
In Revelation, the wicked experienced extreme fright as they saw both Him that sits on the throne and also the wrathful Lamb:
14. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
15. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16. and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17. "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Revelation 6:14-17.
It is clear from Revelation 6 that the Father and Jesus are both coming, not just Jesus. I like the description in Matthew:
64. Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Matthew 26:64
27. "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Matthew 16:27
Jesus will be at the right hand of power when He comes down. He will come in the glory of His Father. So yes, Jesus will come with the presence of His Father. They will come together.
The description of the Father and His Son is found many places in Revelation. Here is just one of many.
15. Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
16. And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, Revelation 11:15-16.
At the sounding of the seventh angel we find that the kingdoms of this world become that of our Lord and of His Christ. Here the Father is called Lord and the same Greek word is used: "Kurios".
So when in Jude, we read:
14. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, Jude 14
We might wonder what Jude means. Just who is the Lord? Is it Jesus or does it mean both the Father and Jesus?
Now when we go back and look at the 4th verse of Jude we find that the word "Lord" is also applied to both the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ:
4. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4
Here, Jude uses "Lord" for both the Father and Jesus. So, "Lord" does not automatically mean it is Jesus. We should also be able to see that it is also true for the book of Jude as well.
This is a real interesting example. When Jesus was talking with the Pharisees, He gave clues as to who He is: What does "the Lord said to my Lord" mean?
41. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42. Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
43. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45. If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46. And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. Matthew 22:41-46.
Jesus speaks of His Father as telling Him "Sit at My right hand. . " and He asks the Jews who's Son is He. Again, the word for "LORD" and "Lord" is "kuriov" in both cases. The obvious answer that made the Pharisees mad and not answer, is that Jesus is the Son of God! He is Lord as the Father is Lord.
Now what do you make of what the Lord said in Zechariah 3?
1. Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
2. the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?" Zechariah 3:1-2
Here we have one Lord speaking of another Lord, just like Matthew 22:44 listed above. But also in Jude we have Michael speaking to Satan in the same way that the Lord speaks to Satan in Zechariah.
9. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Jude 9
If we were to say that Jesus would not directly accuse Satan, we would have to ignore Zechariah 3:2. Just who is the Lord that says to Satan: "The Lord rebuke you, Satan! . . "?
That is clearly Michael who later became Jesus. But now He has a new name.
11. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Revelation 3:11-12.
In Isaiah, we see that Jesus will be called many things that are often only attributed to His Father.
6. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
When the government will be on the shoulder of Christ, His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
So I am not really concerned that Joel talks about both Jesus and Michael in different places because when He confronted for the body of Moses, Michael was not yet Jesus Christ. Just as Isaiah says, a Child is born, who is Jesus, but also a Son was also given. God gave His only Son for us, who is Michael. So the Son of God, also called Michael, became Jesus the Christ child. He then had a new name and His new name has special meaning to us. But when Jesus comes in the clouds, He may have even a newer name and He will have His New Name placed on those who overcome.
|
To answer your question, lets start with the Angel. In Exodus we find that this Angel has God's name in Him.
20. Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
21. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. Exodus 23:20-21
So, this Angel has God's name. He has the name of Jehovah or Yahweh (YHWH) because God's name is in Him.
Now Paul just comes out with it and tells us that this Angel is Jesus!
1. Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,
2. all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
3. all ate the same spiritual food,
4. and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.
That Rock was Christ. Who is Paul talking about? Let's go to Exodus and find specifically who it is that Paul is referring to, because I have always thought that the angel led them. He didn't follow the camp of Israel, did He?
19. And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.
20. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.
21. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.
22. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
23. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all PharaohÕs horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24. Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. Exodus 14:19-24.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 is specifically speaking of the crossing of the red sea and of that cloud where God was. So Paul identifies Him as Jesus. Now in Exodus, we see that it is the Angel of God who is in the cloud that went behind to go between the camp of Israel and the Egyptians.
So Paul is clearly saying that the Angel of God is Jesus. When the LORD looks down and causes trouble for the Egyptians, we now know that it was Jesus who did these things because He has God's name in Him.
Isaiah adds to this thought by saying that the Angel of His Presence has saved, redeemed, and carried Israel all throughout the days of old. Isaiah says that this angel became their Savior!
7. I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD And the praises of the LORD, According to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
8. For He said, "Surely they are My people, Children who will not lie." So He became their Savior.
9. In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old. Isaiah 63:7-9
So the angel that has The Father's name in Him, who is also called the Angel of His Presence has always been the Savior of Israel all through the days of old. He has saved, redeemed, and carried them. It is no wonder that Paul identifies Him as being Christ.
These things about the Angel of God help to confirm that it has always been Jesus all along who has led God's people, even through all the days of old.
18. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1:18
It has been Jesus all along who has lead God's people! And He has been identified as the Angel of God and the Angel of His Presence.
Now, let's get back to God's name, the idea that "My name is in Him". To the Hebrews at the time, it meant, "He is my heir, my descendent, the one who will carry on my legacy" (Examples of this same use of language for heirs of Abraham and others are found in: Gen 48:16, Isa. 66:22, Deut. 25:6-7, 2Sam. 14:7). This idea of having God say: "My name is in Him", agrees with what is written in Hebrews about Jesus:
4. having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5. For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? Hebrews 1:4-5.
Michael has God's name by inheritance. He is God's Son. He is not a created being, but rather, He is the Son of God. So naturally, Jesus has a more excellent name by inheritance than the angels.
Now, lets look into something that is very interesting, and I think, very powerful. When The Angel of the LORD appears before Manoah and his wife, which are Samson's parents; The Angel of the LORD says something different. He identifies Himself as having a name that is wonderful!
17. Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, "What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?
18. And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful? Judges 13:17-18
The Hebrew word for "wonderful" in Judges 13:18 is the very same Hebrew word for "Wonderful" in isaiah 9:6. The Strong index number is 6382 and it means incomprehensible, beyond our understanding, wonderful.
So Michael's name is incomprehensible, beyond our understanding. If we put the texts together we find that: He has a more excellent name because He has the name of God, of Yahweh. That is why Michael's name is incomprehensible and beyond our understanding.
Since Michael and Jesus are the same person, we should not be surprised to find that they are described as having the same name.
6. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
We can see that Jesus is called other names as well, such as Mighty God and Everlasting Father.
Now let's look at Zechariah
1. Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
2. the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?" Zechariah 3:1-2
In Zechariah, we see Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord. Satan, the accuser, is also present to oppose what the Angel of the Lord is doing. In the second verse, the Angel of the Lord starts speaking to Satan. In this verse The Angel of the Lord is actually called "the LORD".
We must remember that Michael has God's name in him. He has the name of Jehovah or Yahweh (YHWH) because God's name is in Him. It is no wonder that Michael's name is incomprehensible and beyond our understanding! So let's not be surprised that the Angel of the LORD can be called the LORD (Jehovah or Yahweh). He has obtained His most excellent name by inheritance!
So, The Angel of the Lord is actually called "the LORD" because He has his Father's name in Him. We know that it is not the Father speaking. Why would the God the Father say: "The Lord rebuke you"? No, it is not the Father, it is the Son! One Lord is speaking of the other Lord. Jesus is speaking about His Father, that His Father will rebuke Satan.
Also, let's not forget what Jesus said when the Pharisees were trying to trap Him in His words. Jesus asked them what David meant when he said: "The LORD said to my Lord"
41. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42. Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
43. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45. If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46. And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. Matthew 22:41-46.
When looking at David's words, "The LORD said unto my Lord", we might ask ourselves the same question that Jesus asked: To whom did the LORD say: "sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool?"
Yes, it has to be Jesus Himself. When Jesus had to press on further to get a response from the Pharisees, He asked them: "If David then calls Him Lord, how is He His Son?"
The obvious answer that made the Pharisees really mad and not answer is that Jesus is the actual Son of God! They were unwilling to admit that Jesus is the Son of God even in the face of confirming Scripture. So, they were defeated!
Yes it is true, when Jesus was on earth, He spoke with authority against Satan and He rebuked Satan on many occasions. But in Zechariah 3:2, we find that the Son of God Himself did not rebuke Satan directly but rather, He said The Lord rebukes you. This is very different from when Jesus was on earth. But it is the very same way that Michael acted in Jude 9. So, it is easy to understand that Michael is indeed the Son of God later to become Jesus and the circumstances were very different from the later time when He became the Son of Man on earth to be our Saviour.
|
Yes, Jesus and Michael are the same person. However, You must realize that Jesus has indeed changed. He did not become Jesus until He took on humanity and He will forever be as one of us, part of the human family as well as being our Creator. So yes, Michael and Jesus are the same individual, but different.
A good analogy might be that of a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly. Yes, it is the same insect however after metamorphosis it is forever changed. So we call it by different names.
At one time, the Son of God was known as Michael the archangel. Now, that He has been made in the likeness of men, He will always be Jesus, the Lamb of God who came down and was made in the flesh to die for our sins. He is now the anointed of God.
5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
So, Jesus has a new name and at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. . .
6. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 KJV
Jesus will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Best of all He will always be our Saviour.
In Revelation, we see that Jesus will have a new name that He did not have before. Jesus will write on the righteous, His new name.
12. "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. Revelation 3:12
|
Is Jesus a created being or is Jesus a divine being? Yes, some people believe that Colossians 1:15 supports the idea that Jesus is just a created being.
15. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Colossians 1:15 KJV
When we read this text in the King James Bible, it does make it sound like Paul is calling Jesus a created being. So, when he says Jesus was the firstborn of every creature, is Paul really saying that Jesus was the first one to be created?
Lets look into this question. When we start to look around at other versions of the Bible we can see that there is another way to understand what Paul is saying.
New King James Version | New International Version | New English Bible | The Revised English Bible | New Century Version | Phillips | Goodspeed |
15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15 | 15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15 | 15. He is the image of the invisible God; his is the primacy over all created things. Colossians 1:15 | 15. He is the image of the invisible God; his is the primacy over all creation. Colossians 1:15 | 15. No one can see God, but Jesus Christ is exactly like him. He ranks higher than everything that has been made. Colossians 1:15 | 15. Now Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God. He existed before creation began. Colossians 1:15 | 15. He is a likeness of the unseen God, born before any creature, Colossians 1:15 |
Instead of saying that Jesus was the first created being; Paul could be saying that Jesus is over all creation, that He existed before creation began. Does Jesus rank higher than any created being that has ever been made? Lets look at the next verse to see which interpretation might be correct.
15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:15-16. NKJV
Verse 16 is an extension of verse 15. The text essentially says that Jesus rules over all creation because all things were created by Him. So verse 16 tells the reason why Jesus has primacy over all creation; Because it was through Him that all things were created that are in heaven and earth.
The idea that Jesus could be the first created being does not fit with the thought in verse 16. If Jesus is just created, like all the rest of the created beings, how could He have created all things? Within the context of having all thing being created by Jesus, it only makes sense to say that He ranks higher than everything that has ever been made.
So, from just reading the text by itself we can see that Verse 15 is not talking about Jesus being created at all, but it is speaking of His rank which is higher than all Creation.
Lets look at verse 16 again because there is an additional thought that would help explain why Jesus would rule over all creation.
15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:15-16. NKJV
If all created things were not only made through Jesus, but were also made for Jesus, it should be easy to understand that Jesus really does rank higher than all of creation. He rules over all of creation not only because all things were made through Him, but also because all created things were made for Him!
To understand this from a different way, let's look at the original meaning for "firstborn". The Greek word for "firstborn" is prototokos, which means the firstborn or first begotten.
But the first born can mean two things. It can mean that Jesus was the very first one to be born (Notice how both Phillips and Goodspeed translates Colossians 1:15 above). Or it can mean that Jesus was the most prominent one to be born (Notice that the other translations of Colossians 1:15 above, speak of Jesus as being over all creation).
In addition to saying that Jesus is the first born, Phillips and Goodspeed also have a suggestion of prominence in their translation. Jesus is not just the first born but He was born before the creation process actually started, or before any creature was made.
So, Jesus would be identified as the pre-eminent one. He would rank higher and He would have primacy over all creation, everything that has been made. He would be the one who has the privileges and prerogatives of God.
The idea reminds us of the controversy between Jacob and Esau. Esau was the first born however, it was Jacob who received the rights, privileges, and authority that the first born was to receive.
In Hebrews we see that when God puts the firstborn into the world, that He says to the angels to worship Him!
4. having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5. For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"?
6. But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."
7. And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
8. But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. Hebrews 1:4-8
Jesus cannot be a created being if He is to be worshipped by the angels.
Jesus is first born not in the sense of time but in the sense of privilege. So, Jesus has all the privileges of the first born. In ancient Israel, first born had the privilege of representing the Father. When Jesus came to this world, He came to reveal God's glory (Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? John 14:9).
Lets look at a few more verses to identify what "firstborn" might actually mean:
15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
19. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, Colossians 1:15-19.
In verse 18, we see something very interesting. Jesus is called the first born from the dead. Was Jesus the first person to be resurrected from the dead? No, He was not. Jesus had resurrected a few people from the dead when He was on earth (Luke 7:11-15; 8:41-42; 8:49-55; John 11:38-44). However these people all died again in a few years. But, there is at least one person who had been raised from the dead before Jesus was raised from the dead, and he went to heaven.
In Jude 1:9 we find a clue that Michael raised Moses from the dead. In addition there is an additional clue that Moses was raised from the dead. When Jesus was on the earth, both Moses and Elijah came to talk to Jesus. We know that Elijah never died, but Moses certainly did die (See Deuteronomy 34:5-7).
So again, "firstborn from the dead" does not necessarily mean the first one to be resurrected from the dead, but instead, it refers to the most prominent one, the pre-eminent one with special privilege of power over death.
Now, when we look back at verse 15, we can see that Paul really is saying that Jesus is the most prominent pre-eminent one with special privileges of power over death because He has created all things: for by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth! He existed before creation began and Jesus does indeed rank higher than any created being.
Looking at it from again another perspective: It makes no sense to say that Jesus was the First Created Being and then to say that Jesus is the one who has created everything in both Heaven and Earth. If He did not create Himself then He definitely did not create everything! These ideas are mutually exclusive. It is only when we begin to understand what verse 15 is actually saying that we can say: Yes indeed; Jesus has existed before the creation process actually began and He ranks higher than all created things. Then it makes perfect sense to say that: ". . by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth".
|
Revelation 3:14 is another verse that some people say supports the idea that Jesus is just a created being. In this verse, Jesus describes Himself in many ways:
14. And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: Revelation 3:14 NKJV
This verse makes it sound like Jesus is the first of the creation, meaning that He is the first created being. However there are other versions that do say it differently:
New International Version | New English Bible | The Revised English Bible | Goodspeed |
14. "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. Revelation 3:14 | 14. To the angel of the church at Laodicea write: "These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the prime source of all God's creation: Revelation 3:14 | 14. To the angel of the church at Laodicea write: "These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of all God's creation: Revelation 3:14 | 14. To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The Amen, the true and faithful witness, the origin of God's creation, Revelation 3:14 |
So, either Jesus is the beginning of the creation of God, meaning that he is the first created being, or He is the source or origin of all God's creation.
The Greek word for beginning can mean: 1. beginner or origin; 2. the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader, the beginning; or 3. That by which anything begins to be, the origin, active cause; and a few other lesser meanings. The New Thayer's Greek English Lexicon specifically identifies the meaning of the word to be the third meaning for revelation 3:14. Thus, the meaning of the word actually identifies the source, the originator, or the active cause.
So, the text could read "the originator of God's creation". Jesus would be the ruler and prime source (origin) of God's creation. This translation of Revelation 3:14 would now allow it to agree with all the other verses where Jesus is the originator, the source of all God's creation. He was not the first created being but instead He created all things!
3. All things were made through Him [Jesus], and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:3
15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:15-16.
3. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3
6. By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. Psalm 33:6
5. For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 2 Peter 3:5
9. and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; Ephesians 3:9
26. Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Genesis 1:26
Jesus is not the first created being, but rather He is the one who has made everything that is created, without Him nothing was made that was made! He is the source and origin of all God's creation. He is even the ruler of God's creation.
Jesus Accepts Worship
One of the best evidences to show us that Jesus is Divine and not created is the fact that Jesus accepted worship over and over again. When He was here on earth He was worshipped many times and Jesus never stopped them. Here is just one example:
35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?"
36. He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?"
37. And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you."
38. Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him. John 9:35-38
Yet, when John was in vision, John was stopped from worshiping an angel who was in front of him:
10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Revelation 19:10 NKJV
John did it a second time as well.
8. Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9. Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." Revelation 22:8-9 NKJV
The Ten Commandment specifically says:
3. You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3.
It also says:
5. You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God Exodus 20:5 (first part).
Now, if Jesus is not Divine, He would be causing others to sin as well by not stopping this worship of Him. Jesus would be an enemy of God. Look what happened to Herod when He accepted praise:
21. So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.
22. And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!"
23. Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:21-23
King Herod chose to accept worship as a god, and God struck him down.
Since Jesus did not sin, His acceptance of worship must be legitimate. He really is divine.
Satan is the one who wants to be worshiped as if he were God. That makes Satan the enemy of God, because Satan wants to take God's glory for himself!
8. Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
9. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
10. Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" Mark 4:8-10
So, this idea that Jesus is not Divine cannot be true! But of course we have other Bible texts that also help to show us that Jesus is Divine:
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1.
8. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
9. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; Colossians 2:8-9.
5. "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5.
1. God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
2. has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
3. who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, Hebrews 1:1-3.
17. But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."
18. Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. John 5:17-18.
5. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6. who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, Philippians 2:5-6
|
Concerning Daniel 10:13; This is an interesting problem that I have had to grapple with. However, when we start looking at more and more verses of the Bible, the problem disappears. Lets look into this.
So, Michael is one of the chief princes.
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. Daniel 10:13
However, Michael is also our prince!
21. But I will shew 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. Daniel 10:21
If Michael is our prince, then maybe, the other prince or princes are not our prince!
And Michael is the great prince that protects God's people.
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. Daniel 12:1
Michael is not just a prince, He is the great prince, the Prince of Peace, the Prince and Savior, and also the prince of the kings of the earth!
6. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
14. "But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15. "and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. Acts 3:14-15.
30. "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.
31. "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:30-31.
5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Revelation 1:5
This is the great prince that protects God's people. Maybe, the other prince does not protect God's people.
This is the Prince of Peace. Maybe, the other prince is not a prince of peace.
This is our Prince and Savior. Maybe, the other prince is not a Savior of God's people!
7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. Revelation 12:7
If Michael is the great prince who protects the children of thy people, it is quite possible that the other prince is our enemy. I think that the other prince, who is not our prince, who does not protect us, is the enemy dragon. In Revelation 12:7 we see the two princes battling it out. Michael with His angels, the angels of heaven, is fighting against Satan with his fallen angels, those who have become demons.
Now, lets look at this from another angle. When Satan started to become evil, he was corrupted by his own glory:
17. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Ezekiel 28:17
13. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13-14.
This is interesting. Apparently, Jesus did not stick out as being one of the Godhead. So, Lucifer was able to think that he might be better than Jesus. When Jesus was on earth, He looked like any other man, yet He was the Son of God. It is quite possible that the same thing happened when He was among the angels in heaven. Michael was probably there as an angel (in the form of an angel) to show the other angels what God was like. Just like when He came to earth as a man to show us the Father and die for our sins. This apparently was necessary since there were some angels who chose to rebel against God.
Now, this is where it gets really interesting. Since, Satan wanted to become like God, he was essentially declaring himself to be the next ruler, a prince! He was saying that he was going to be the prince that will one day rule everything like the most High.
When Jesus was on earth, God proclaimed that Jesus was His beloved Son, so we know that Jesus is God's special Son:
16. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17
It is quite possible that the same thing happened in heaven. In spite of the fact that Satan would be going against God, he continued in his war. So, Satan declares himself to be a prince, But it is God who declares Jesus to be the real prince. "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!"
Now Satan is considered to be the ruler of this world. Jesus Himself said so:
31. "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. John 12:31
30. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. John 14:30
In addition, Satan is also called the prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit who works in evil people.
1. And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2. in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3. among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Ephesians 2:1-3
So Satan is called a prince. There is another interesting text in Daniel:
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. Daniel 10:13
Here we have an angel, possibly Gabriel, who came to fight the prince of Persia. Apparently this prince withstood him for 21 days until Michael came to help him. Could this have been an earthly prince? I don't think so. In the Bible, we see thousands of people destroyed by just one angel. Gabriel was fighting someone more substantial than just a human, I believe that this angel was fighting the enemy prince, Satan. Satan is the prince of the kingdom of Persia.
After Jesus dies on the cross and is taken up into heaven, He sits on the right hand of the Father, till His Father will make His enemies His footstool:
44. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? Matthew 22:44
It is only some time later, at the end of the world, that Jesus will reign on the throne.
15. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Revelation 11:15-18
So, Michael is our great prince who protects us from Satan! Satan, on the other hand, is the enemy prince who had to declare himself to be a prince because God clearly chose His special Son. Satan wants to take the kingdom away from even the Father as well as the Son of God.
13. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13-14.
So, it is true that Michael is one of the chief princes because Satan is also a prince who has proclaimed himself as a prince. Satan has corrupted his wisdom because he thought he was so bright, saying: I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will be like the most High. But Michael, our prince, has been proclaimed by The Father, saying: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Michael is the great prince which stands and protects God's people. He is our prince!
|
If you are correct that Michael needed help to fight Satan, then you would be right. However, you have confused the text. Michael is not needing the help; but rather, Michael is giving the help!
It is an angel, possibly Gabriel, that needs Michael to help him. Let's look at the text:
NOTE: The (RED text) indicates that Michael came to help the angel. The (GREEN text) indicates that this angel talking was sent to Daniel. The (ORANGE Text) shows the fight against Satan.
10. Then, suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12. Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
13. "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
14. "Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."
15. When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. Daniel 10:10-15
In verse 13 we see that "Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help". He was not needing help because He could not fight Satan alone. He came to help because the angel could not fight Satan alone! Looking at verses 10 and 11 we see that this angel was sent to Daniel by someone of higher authority. So the hand that touched Daniel was that of an angel.
If you read the eleventh question, you will see that it is Gabriel who usually speaks to Daniel explaining what is happening in the vision. But in Daniel 10 we are not told who the angel was that was sent to Daniel.
|
Daniel 11:1 is interesting. A few sources, like the Amplified Bible says that Michael is "him". However, other Bibles say that Darius is the "him".
I looked at three other versions of the Bible: New Century Version supported the idea that "him" is Michael.
However, the other two that I looked at: Green's literal translation and the TANAKH (Jewish translation); Both of these supported the idea that "him" is Darius the Mede.
I then looked at two different Bible commentaries. Both commentaries say that "him" is Darius the Mede. One of these commentaries is on the internet: the Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Bible
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/daniel/mh/daniel11.htm
Here, 1. The angel Gabriel lets Daniel know the good service he has done to the Jewish nation (v. 1): "In the first year of Darius the Mede, who destroyed Babylon and released the Jews out of that house of bondage, I stood a strength and fortress to him, that is, I was instrumental to protect him, and give him success in his ward, and, after he had conquered Babylon, to confirm him in his resolution to release the Jews," (from Matthew Henry) |
There is some confusion as to who "him" really is and it is easy to see why. There is nothing in the text itself that can identify "him". So, the reader must use his or her understanding to identify "him". This is why even Bible commentaries can differ. It is based on the opinion of the one who is writing the commentary.
So, a strong case can NOT be made of Daniel 11:1 saying that Michael needed strengthening, especially when there is an alternate explanation that works very well.
In situations like this the only thing we can do is to try to determine the context of the text. We must look at the context that Daniel 11:1 was written. In Daniel 10 we saw (in the previous answer, The ninth question) that it was the angel that needed help and that Michael had come to help him.
It is an angel, possibly Gabriel, that needed Michael to help him. Let's look at the text again:
NOTE: The (RED text) indicates that Michael came to help the angel. The (GREEN text) indicates that this angel talking was sent to Daniel. The (ORANGE Text) shows the fight against Satan.
10. Then, suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12. Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
13. "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
14. "Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."
15. When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. Daniel 10:10-15
In verse 13 we see that "Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help". He was not the one who needed the help. Michael came to help because the angel could not fight Satan alone!
Looking at verses 10 and 11 we see that this angel was sent to Daniel by someone of higher authority. So the hand that touched Daniel was that of an angel.
Now if Michael is the one who helped the angel it makes no sense to say that the angel is strengthening Michael. But it goes even further:
19. And he said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."
20. Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.
21. "But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. Daniel 10:19-21
This angel is saying that no one is upholding him except Michael. Here it is in a different version:
20. So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come;
21. but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No-one supports me against them except Michael, your prince. Daniel 10:20-21 NIV
It is Michael who came to help and support the angel. It then makes no sense at all to turn around in Daniel 11:1, in the very next verse, and say that the angel is helping Michael (because He needs help). Here is the text in two versions:
1. "Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.) Daniel 11:1 NKJV
1. And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.) Daniel 11:1 NIV
The context tells us that the angel was there to confirm and strengthen Darius, not the other way around. This means that the angel was there to support and protect Darius the Mede, and Michael supported the angel.
So, Daniel 11:1 fits with Daniel 10:13-14, and with Daniel 10:20-21 telling us that it is Michael who is coming to help and support the angel.
|
What you are saying is that it was not the angel Gabriel, or some other angel, that was talking about Michael but that it was really Jesus who was speaking of Michael, in 3rd person, as being our prince in Daniel 10? This would be serious! If Jesus were the one saying these things in Daniel 10, then there would be a problem, Michael could not be Jesus!
Let's look in the Bible to see what is going on.
First let's compare the description of Jesus in Revelation 1 to the description we find in Daniel 10. (please note the colors: RED identifies the person as Jesus; ORANGE describes the garments; GREEN describes the appearance; and LIGHT BLUE describes His voice.
12. Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, | 5. I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! |
It does look like we have a match. Both description have a garment that is girded with a gold band. Both have a very similar appearance and they both have a voice that sounds like a multitude or the sound of many waters.
So, not only is the last book of the Bible concerning the Revelation of Jesus Christ, but we find that Jesus also has a central part to play in the prophecies of Daniel.
But does Daniel only talk to Jesus in the vision or is there some one else who he talks to in the vision?
It Was an Angel That Spoke About Michael
It is very clear in the text of Daniel 7, 8, 9, and 10, that the one who speaks of Michael as being our prince in Daniel 10 is actually an angel, possibly Gabriel, and not Jesus. Let's look into this problem.
In Daniel 7, we find that Daniel had a dream but it is only later, when Daniel is troubled about what he saw that he approached one of the angels to ask a question. Apparantly there were at least a couple angels standing near by:
15. "I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16. "I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: Daniel 7:15-16
From the very first vision that Daniel had, all the explanation of the actual vision that he saw was done by angels, not by Jesus. As we look into his later visions: Daniel 8, 9, and 10; we will see that this precedent will continue.
In Daniel 8, Daniel saw another vision much like the first in Daniel 7. After he saw it, Jesus tells Gabriel to tell what the vision means:
15. Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.
16. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision." Daniel 8:15-16
In Daniel 9, Daniel fasted and prayed for his people, and Gabriel comes to help Daniel understand the vision because of a command that went out in heaven:
20. Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,
21. yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.
22. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.
23. "At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision: Daniel 9:20-23
So far, Daniel has repeatedly seen and heard both Jesus and Gabriel in his visions. But it is Gabriel or some other angel, that has always interpreted the vision for Daniel. We will see that the next vision is no different. Initially, in Daniel 10, Daniel sees Jesus in such a dramatic way that he goes into a deep sleep with his face on the ground.
5. I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!
6. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. Daniel 10:5-6
9. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Daniel 10:9
But then someone comes to help him. A hand touches Daniel. Since this person has come to help Daniel understand the vision, it is most likely and angel.
10. Then, suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12. Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. Daniel 10:10-12
Here we see that this person was sent to Daniel. This example is just like what we saw in Daniel 8 and Daniel 9. So let's make a closer comparison of the three visions of Daniel.
15. Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. | 21. yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. | 10. Then, suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. |
So, both previous times in Daniel 8 and 9, Gabriel was sent to help Daniel understand the vision. This point is true even when Jesus is present in the vision. Now, in Daniel 10, the individual that comes to help Daniel is not named, but we find that this individual is also sent to help Daniel in his understanding just like in the two previous visions (8 & 9). In Daniel 10, there is no suggestion that this person is a Supreme Being like we saw in in verses 5 and 6. But rather we see evidence that this is probably an angel because this person says he has been sent to help him.
So, in all three examples (Daniel 8, 9, and 10), there is a command (RED text) for someone to go to Daniel and help him understand the vision. The first two times, Gabriel (GREEN text) is actually named, but in Daniel 10, the individual is not named.
We also see in all three examples (Daniel 8, 9, and 10), that the messenger comes in response to Daniel's effort in trying to understand the meaning of the vision (ORANGE Text). When Daniel humbled himself before God in supplications, that is when the messanger was commanded to come and help him understand the vision.
We also saw from all of Daniel's visions (Daniel 7, 8, 9, and 10), that all the explanations and interpretations in all his visions were given by angels. God seems to always have them play a very important role in His communications to man.
In my New King James Bible, a Cross Reference is made linking Daniel 10:10 to Daniel 9:21. The people who put the cross references together see that the hand that touches Daniel is not that of Jesus but most likely Gabriel. This person could very well be Gabriel, since Gabriel seems to have a history of explaining things to Daniel in his visions from God.
Reading more in Daniel 10:
10. Then, suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12. Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. Daniel 10:10-12
13. "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
14. "Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."
15. When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. Daniel 10:10-15
The (RED text) indicates the battle for 21 days. The (GREEN text) indicates that this person talking was sent to Daniel. The (ORANGE Text) shows that the messenger came in response to Daniel's effort to ask God his questions. When Daniel humbled himself before God in supplications, that is when the messenger was commanded to come and help him understand the vision.
In verse 13 we find that this individual withstood the kingdom of Persia for 21 days. Is this Jesus? Why would Jesus need help if he was only fighting Satan, a created being? If Michael was only a created being of lesser abilities, how would his helping Jesus be of any real benefit to him?
But if this individual was only an angel, who had battled the prince for 21 days, then the fact that Michael comes to help him makes much more sense; Since Michael is actually Jesus Himself! This would be really effective help!
There are too many good clues showing that Daniel saw both Jesus and an angel in Daniel 10. The angel himself tells Daniel that he was sent to help by explaining things to him. So, it was not Jesus who spoke of Michael but it was an angel who spoke of Michael and did these things.
|
You mention that you use the word "archangel" in the singular sense, not plural. I believe the same way as you.
I have heard about a number of traditions about Archangels. Various churches espouse a number of archangels and I have read about these things and I have noted the sources of these ideas, such as the Apocrypha. The Aprocrypha is known to have problems and some of its teachings are contrary to the 66 books of the Bible.
However, I want to know what the Bible says about truth. My faith is built upon the word of God. Human traditions are by their very nature, faulty. So I will trust in God's word. The Bible only refers to Michael as the Archangel.
Since Archangel means chief of the angels, there is only one chief of the angels. In Revelation 12:7 we find that Michael and His angels fought against the dragon and the dragon's angels. It makes sense that there is only one top commander of the angels in heaven.
Now lets see if Luke 1:11-19 actually spells out the idea that "the angel of the Lord" is actually "Gabriel". To begin let's look In Judges 13, we see that the angel of the LORD appears before a woman and gives her a message:
3. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, "Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son." Judges 13:3
The story continues and Manoah, the woman's husband is able to see the vistor. So the angel of the Lord repeats the message in his presence as well. At this point, Manoah becomes curious and asks the question: Who are you?
17. Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, "What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?"
18. And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?" Judges 13:17-18 KJV
He tells Manoah that His name is Wonderful. In Isaiah 9:6 we read a prophecy of the birth of Jesus:
6. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 KJV
The Hebrew word for "wonderful" in Judges 13:18 is the very same Hebrew word for "Wonderful" in isaiah 9:6. The Strong index number is 6382 and it means incomprehensible, beyond our understanding, wonderful.
So The Angel of the LORD says that his name is wonderful, it is incomprehensible, beyond our understanding. In Isaiah 9:6, we find that Jesus' name is also incomprehensible and beyond our understanding. Jesus and the Angel of the Lord are described in the same way.
Now when we look at Luke 1 we see that this angel plainly identifies himself as Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.
18. And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
19. And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings". Luke 1:18-19
This angel, Gabriel, stands in the presence of God. His name is not beyond our understanding nor is it incomprehensible. It is Gabriel. In Judges, 13, we saw a very different person who's name is wonderful, who is incomprehensible and beyond our understanding.
So, Luke 1 does not spell out the idea that the angel of the Lord is always Gabriel. It only tells us that Gabriel was sent to Zacharias.
4. having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5. For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"?
6. But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."
7. And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
8. But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.
9. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." Hebrews 1:4-5.
|
A friend told me about Matthew Henry and Spurgeon. I do not own Spurgeon's books and I could not find the text on the internet. So I cannot confirm what Spurgeon has said.
But I did find Matthew Henry on the internet and I found out what he said about Michael the Archangel being Jesus. He does say that Michael is Jesus.
I went to the Matthew Henry web site and looked up what he said about Daniel 10 and Daniel 12.
In the commentary of Daniel 10, he mentions that some believe that Michael is Jesus, but in the description of Daniel 12, It goes much more into it. See below:
In his comentary of Daniel Chapter 10, toward the end of the descriptions you will read this:
[2.] Here is Michael our prince, the great protector of the church, and the patron of its just but injured cause: The first of the chief princes, v. 13. Some understand it of a created angel, but an archangel of the highest order, 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9. Others think that Michael the archangel is no other than Christ himself, the angel of the covenant, and the Lord of the angels, he whom Daniel saw in vision, v. 5. He came to help me (v. 13); and there is none but he that holds with me in these things, v. 21. Christ is the church's prince; angels are not, Heb. ii. 5. He presides in the affairs of the church and effectually provides for its good. He is said to hold with the angels, for it is he that makes them serviceable to the heirs of salvation; and, if he were not on the church's side, its case were bad. But, says David, and so says the church, The Lord takes my part with those that help me, Ps. cxviii. 7. The Lord is with those that uphold my soul, Ps. liv. 4. |
Notice that Matthew does mention that some understand Michael to be a created angel, however he then spends much more energy describing how Michael is actually Christ himself. Just by the number of words, we can see that Matthew Henry believes that Michael is Christ. Also, Matthew has no arguments for supposing that Michael the archangel is a created angel; However, he gives a couple of arguments and comments that help suggest that Jesus is indeed that prince.
It will become much more evident when you see his commentary of the first four verses of Daniel 12 concerning Michael the Archange, because he says point blank that "Christ is that great prince, for he is the prince of the kings of the earth".
Then he waxes elegant on what happens when Jesus appears.
The Promised Appearance of Michael; The Prophecy Sealed Up. (b. c. 534.) I. Jesus Christ shall appear his church's patron and protector: At that time, when the persecution is at the hottest, Michael shall stand up, v. 1. The angel had told Daniel what a firm friend Michael was to the church, ch. x. 21. He all along showed this friendship in the upper world; the angels knew it; but now Michael shall stand up in his providence, and work deliverance for the Jews, when he sees that their power is gone, Deut. xxxii. 3. 6. Christ is that great prince, for he is the prince of the kings of the earth, Rev. i. 5. And, if he stand up for his church, who can be against it? . . . . II. When Christ appears he will recompense tribulation to those that trouble his people. There shall be a time of trouble, threatening to all, but ruining to all the implacable enemies of God's kingdom among men, such trouble as never was since there was a nation. . . . . III. He will work salvation for his people: "At that time thy people shall be delivered, delivered from the mischief and ruin designed them by Antiochus, even all those that were marked for preservation, that were written among the living," Isa. iv. 3. When Christ comes into the world he will save his spiritual Israel from sin and hell, and will, at his second coming, complete their salvation, even the salvation of as many as were given him, as many as have their names in the book of life, Rev. xx. 15. They were written there before the world, and will be found written there at the end of the world, when the books shall be opened. IV. There shall be a distinguishing resurrection of those that sleep in the dust, v. 2. . . . . 3. It must be meant of the general resurrection at the last day: The multitude of those that sleep in the dust shall awake, that is, all, which shall be a great many. Or, Of those that sleep in the dust many shall arise to life and many to shame. The Jews themselves understand this of the resurrection of the dead at the end of time; and Christ seems to have an eye to it when he speaks of the resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation (John v. 29); . . . . |
I found two different websites. You can read directly from Matthew's commentary yourself from either of these sources:
Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible
Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Bible
Both will take you to Daniel 12. You can easily find Daniel 10 with a click on their page.
|
I think you have a point in asking the question: Why wouldn't the sounding of the trumpet be included with the voice of the archangel in connection with Jesus giving a shout or command?
Either both the trumpet and the archangel's sound are aspects of Jesus' command; or neither of the two are connected with Jesus. But not one without the other.
Actually, I have never thought of this possibility before but I think God has now helped me find the answer. One Sabbath, I decided to read through Revelation in one sitting. Actually I started with the fourth Chapter. But almost before I got started, something jumped out at me:
1. After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." Revelation 4:1
A voice that is like a trumpet! Who's voice is like a trumpet? John said it was the first voice which he had heard before, so I went back to find where that first voice is mentioned in Revelation:
10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
11. saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
12. Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13. and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
14. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
15. His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
16. He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
17. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18. "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Revelation 1:10-18
This is clearly Jesus who speaks with a loud voice and his voice is compared with a trumpet. Jesus' voice sounds like a trumpet!
Somehow, I have never seen this before. Jesus' voice is compared with that of a trumpet.
Once I realized this, a new different passage of Scripture suddenly came to mind. Below, there are two different quotes. One passage refers to Christ's voice as waking up the dead; but, the other passage refers to the trumpet of God as waking up the dead.
25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:25-29
51. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.
One text says the dead will hear the voice of Jesus; But, the other text says that it is at the last trumpet that the dead will rise.
Both are describing the same event but they are describing the shout Jesus gives differently. The voice mentioned and the trumpet of God must be two aspects of Christ's same commanding shout.
I missed this point with Green's version which treats the voice and trumpet differently. Green has Jesus commanding with an archangel's voice but God's trumpet seems separate from the voice:
16. Because the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a commanding shout of an archangel's voice, and with God's trumpet. And the dead in Christ will rise again first. Thessalonians 4:16 Greens Literal Translation
But in a different literal translation, Young's version, Young treats the voice and trumpet the very same way. They are both aspects of Christ's commanding shout.
16. because the Lord himself, in a shout, in the voice of a chief-messenger, and in the trump of God, shall come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, Thessalonians 4:16 Young's Literal Translation
So, Jesus could very well shout with the voice of the archangel that is also a trumpet-like voice; The voice of God which is also called the trumpet of God.
Looking at the original Greek language:
(This online interlinear Bible is found at: http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/NTpdf/1th4.pdf )
|
In the Greek, we see that both the voice and the trumpet are treated in the same way, just as we found in Young's Literal Translation.
Now, the other half of your question. You think that Jesus is shouting while an archangel's voice and God's trumpet are also sounding at the same time.
The punctuation is actually part of the interpretation of the translation; Because, in the original Greek, as you can see above, it has no punctuation.
Also, words seem to confuse some people. The word "with" is used in many translations and it can make it seem like there are more than one individual making the sounds. Yet, it does not have to be that way. using the word "with" can also be interpreted as having Jesus be the source of the voice and trumpet sound.
On the other hand, if the word "in" is used, then that perception, of having more than one individual making the sounds, is gone. It can now be seen that Jesus is indeed the one speaking in an archangel's voice that sounds like a trumpet.
The word: "en" can mean: "in", "by", "with" etc. In the KJV it has been translated as: "in" 1902 times, "by" 163 times, "with" 140 times, "among" 117 times, "at" 113 times, "on" 62 times, "through" 39 times, and a group of other miscellaneous words 265 times.
Looking at the interlinear Bible above, I think what the verse is trying to say is this: That same Lord: in a commanding shout, in the sound of the chief messenger, and in the trumpet of God; He will come down from heaven and the dead in the anointed (Christ) shall rise first.
So, the Archangel's voice and the trumpet of God are two aspects of Christ's commanding shout. Jesus will shout with the voice of the archangel since He has been the Chief Messenger and His voice is also a trumpet-like voice because from Revelation we found that His voice sounds like a trumpet.
Comments
Post a Comment