Is Michael Another Name For Jesus?

Friday 1-20-23 6th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Tevet 27 5783 31st. Winter Day

Written by Biblical Research Institute

What biblical evidence supports the teaching that Michael is another name for Jesus?

The name Michael is used five times in the Bible to designate a celestial being (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7). He is nowhere explicitly identified with Jesus, but some Christian writers have equated the two by carefully comparing the role played by Michael with that of Jesus. Any comparisons yield not only similarities but also dissimilarities, and both should be taken into account. We’ll start with the passages in which Michael is mentioned and then broaden the horizon to include several passages that are conceptually related to His person and experience.

1. He seems to be an angel: Michael is identified as “one of the chief princes” (Dan. 10:13), “your prince” (verse 21), “the great prince” (Dan. 12:1), and “the archangel” (Jude 9). “Archangel” implies that He is the prince of the angels, suggesting that Michael cannot be another name for Jesus because He is divine and angels are created beings.

Part of the problem is that the noun “angel” is taken to designate a creature, while in the Bible it designates a function. In other words, an “angel” is a being who functions as a “messenger” of God. In most cases they are created beings, but there is an exception.

In the Old Testament there are several references to the “angel [messenger] of the Lord” in which He is equated with God (e.g., Ex. 3:2, 4; Judges 6:12, 14). It is not that the Messenger is identified with the One who sent Him as His representative, but rather that the Sender functions at the same time as the Messenger. Many Christians have identified the Angel of the Lord as the preincarnate Christ. This Christological interpretation seems to be biblically valid.

2. He is leader of the angels: The phrase “one of the chief princes” (Dan. 10:13) could give the impression that He is one among many princes. But according to Revelation 12:7, Michael is the supreme leader of the heavenly angels, or “the great prince.” When necessary, He personally assists angels in their assigned tasks (Dan. 10:13), yet the angelic hosts are under His command (Rev. 12:7). He is indeed the “archangel” (Jude 9). This title is mentioned in one other place in the Bible: 1 Thesselonians 4:16, in the context of the second coming of Christ. He returns “with the voice of the archangel,” suggesting that Michael is most probably another name for Jesus.

3. He protects God’s people: Michael is described as the Prince of Israel (Dan. 10:21), the One who protects Israel (Dan. 12:1). This protection is described in military terms and portrays the Prince as a warrior. In practically all the passages in which He is mentioned there is a conflict between God’s people and their enemies, and Michael is present to defend them or fight for them. The protection can also take the form of judgment in which Michael stands up and defends and delivers God’s people (ibid.). Those are functions of Christ in the New Testament and confirm the suggestion that Michael and Christ are the same person, involved in leadership in the heavenly and earthly realms.

4. He is Prince of the heavenly hosts: In Daniel 8:10 there is a reference to a celestial being who performs the daily services in the heavenly sanctuary. There is only one other passage in the Old Testament in which this being is mentioned. Joshua had an encounter with a being who identified himself as the “captain [commander] of the host [army] of the Lord” (Joshua 5:14). He ordered Joshua to remove his shoes because the ground he was standing on was holy, similar to God’s apparition to Moses. The context makes clear that this being was the Lord Himself (Joshua 6:2). This Prince is the same person called in other passages Prince Michael, and therefore we can identify Him with the preincarnate Christ.

So even though the Bible does not clearly identify Michael with Christ, there is enough biblical information to warrant the view that They are the same person. The name Michael stresses the fact that Christ is the supreme leader of the heavenly angels and the defender of His people as warrior, judge, and priest.

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Is Michael Another Name For Jesus?

Love, Walter and Debbie

Hello Walter, this has been a question for some, and it is what cults like the JW's believe (that the Lord Jesus Christ and Michael the Archangel are one and the same being, that is), but how are those who hold to this belief able to get past what Jude tells us about Michael


If Michael = The Lord Jesus Christ, then why did he say to Satan, "THE LORD rebuke you" The text also tells us that Michael "DID NOT DARE" pronounce a railing JUDGMENT against Satan. If Michael = Jesus, and is therefore the 2nd Member of the Godhead, how could any of this possibly be said of Him (if the Lord Jesus is God, and He is, then He alone is Satan's "Judge", yes?)

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy

“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.”

I have to agree with Deuteronomy.
Charles Taze Russell came up with that theory. It makes no sense. Go back to the gospels and we find that Jesus was tempted of Satan in the wilderness. Each time the Lord Jesus rebuked the Devil with His written word.

Michael the Archangel referred to His Authority, The Lord, as the One to rebuke the devil. All of the devils that Jesus met were rebuked and cast out of those possessed.
He proved that He was truly the Lord throughout His ministry.

There is no scriptural reason to equate Micheal, the angel with Jesus, The Lord God.

all winners

This is simply not true, historically.

Long before CT Russell and the WTS/JW org, there were many Christians, who from scripture, taught that Michael the archangel was another designation for the Son of the Father.

As for instance:

Melito of Sardis stated:

Melito of Sardis (wrote AD 165 – AD 175, died c. AD 180) was the bishop of Sardis near Smyrna in western Anatolia.

Cureton's Spicilegium Syriacum, contaning remains of Bardeson, Meliton, Ambrose and Mara Bar Serapion. Now first edited, with an English translation and notes, by the Rev. William Cureton, M.A. F.R.S. Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen, Rector of St. Margaret's, and Canon of Westminster. London: Francis and John Rivington, St. Paul's Churchyard and Waterloo Place. 1855.
"... [Page 53] From Meliton the Bishop; On Faith.

We have made collections from the Law and the Prophets relative to those things which have been declared respecting our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may prove to your love, that He is perfect reason, the Word of God; who was begotten before the light; who was Creator together with the Father; who was the fashioner of man; who was all in all; who among the Patriarchs was Patriarch; who in the law was the Law; among the priests Chief priest; amongst kings Governor; among prophets the Prophet; among the angels Archangel; in the Voice the Word; among spirits Spirit; in the Father the Son; in God God- the king forever and ever. For this was He who was pilot to Noah; who conducted Abraham; who was bound with Isaac, who was in exile with Jacob, who was sold with Joseph, who was captain with Moses; who was the divider of the inheritance with Jesus the Son of Nun, who in David and the prophets foretold his own sufferings, who was incarnate in the Virgin, who was born at Bethlehem, (33) who was wrapped in swaddling clothes in the manger, who was seen of the shepherd, who was glorified of the angels, who was worshipped of the Magi, who was pointed out by John, who assembled the Apostles, who preached the kingdom, who healed the maimed, who gave light to the blind, who raised the dead, who appeared in the temple, who was not believed on by the people, who was betrayed by [Page 53-54] Judas, who was laid hold on by the priests, who was condemned by Pilate, who was transfixed in the flesh, who was hanged upon the tree, who was buried in the earth, who rose from the dead, who appeared to the Apostles, who ascended to heaven, who sitteth on the right hand of the Father, who is the rest of those that are departed, the recoverer of those who were lost, the light of those who are in darkness, the deliverer of those who are captives, the guide of those who have gone astray, the refuge of the afflicted, the bridegroom of the Church, the charioteer of the Cherubim, the captain of the angels, God who is of God, the Son who is of the Father, Jesus Christ, the King for ever and ever. Amen. ..." [Pages 53-54] - Spicilegium Syriacum: containing remains of Bardesan, Meliton, Ambrose and Mara Bar Serapion. Now first edited, with an English translation and notes : Cureton, William, 1808-1864 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

https://archive.org/stream/spicilegiumsyria00cureuoft#page/54/mode/1up

To which "Archangel" do you think Melito referred to, in reference to Jesus Christ? Surely not Gabriel?

Many others stated in sermon and in print, long before the WTS/JW organization existed, that Michael was another designation for the Son (aka Jesus) of God the Father.

You may see that evidence here:

https://archive.org/details/michael...s-like-unto-god-daniel-11.40-45-12.1-3_202301

An image here:

The answers to your questions are rather simple to explain from scripture:

[1] The Son, in Jude (referring to an OT event (resurrection of Moses)), came as a Messenger on behalf of the Father (as He always does; John 12:49-50)

[2] As Messenger (aka 'angel', which only means messenger, ambassador, one with a message from another), He is not putting anything in His own authority, but refers to the Father's authority (aka "the Lord"). The Son, as Messenger on behalf of the Father cannot say anything He is not commanded, in the name of the Father, to say (as for instance John 8:28).

[3] The context is not merely a not daring, but what was it specifically that the Son would not "durst" (dare) to do? It was not a matter of rebuke, but of how His response to the devils' accusations and resistance was to be. In the language of the text itself, we read what the "durst not" was about, and it was, "durst not bring against him a railing accusation". The words "railing accusation" refer to a blasphemous accusing. In other words, the Son would not utilize the methods of speech the devil was just then employing, in return reply. The Son cannot use the devils methods of conversation, or accusation, as it would be outside of not only His own character, but that of the character of the Father, of which the Son had come in.

[4] A similar event is paralled in Zechariah 3, as well as in Daniel and Revelation. The "angel of the LORD" (Zechariah 3:1) (being the Messenger for the Father), is identifed also as "the LORD" (ie JEHOVAH, the Son) which "said" (Zechariah 3:2). Now what did this "the LORD" say to the devil there? "The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan". So, the "angel of the LORD" (Messenger of the Father, aka, the Son), who is also "the LORD" (JEHOVAH the Son) said to the devil "the LORD (the Father) rebuke thee", since, again, the Son came as Messenger on behalf of the Father. The Holy Ghost is also present in the verse as the third "the LORD".

Yes, do you know why? Timing. The Father gave to the Son, what to say in each instance. See my previous references. In the case of Jude, it refers to the OT event of the resurrection of Moses. In the NT, the Son, had taken upon Himself the form of a servant (fallen sinful flesh of mankind).

Ecc_3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

There is tons of evidence, which is why the entire Reformation wrote on the subject, and argued with the Romanists over it as a major doctrinal point (concerning angel-worship (dulia)).

Incorrect. I believe scripture, how about yourself?

The word "angel" simply means 'messenger, ambassador (coming on behalf of someone else), that which carries a message (from or for another)'. The word (in English, Hebrew (mal'ak) or koine Greek (aggelos)) carries no inherent definition of nature (created or uncreated). it only carries the meaning of messenger, as an office, a position, not a nature.

Malachi 3:1, among other texts, demonstrates that the Son of God, is called "angel" by the Holy Ghost Himself through Malachi.

Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:1 הנני שׁלח מלאכי ופנה־דרך לפני ופתאם יבוא אל־היכלו האדון אשׁר־אתם מבקשׁים ומלאך הברית אשׁר־אתם חפצים הנה־בא אמר יהוה צבאות׃

Mal 3:1 ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐξαποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου, καὶ ἐπιβλέψεται ὁδὸν πρὸ προσώπου μου, καὶ ἐξαίφνης ἥξει εἰς τὸν ναὸν ἑαυτοῦ κύριος, ὃν ὑμεῖς ζητεῖτε, καὶ ὁ ἄγγελος τῆς διαθήκης, ὃν ὑμεῖς θέλετε· ἰδοὺ ἔρχεται, λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ.

There are at least 4 messengers represented by Malachi 3:1 (at least 2 uncreated and eternal, and at least 2 created).

The passage/text you might be referring to is found in:

Psa_104:4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

Heb_1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

Yet the context, speaks to the created messengers (as Gabriel), not to the one who created them, the uncreated Messenger (the Son of the Father, see Colossians 1:16 in that the one "who maketh his angels" is the Son, the uncreated and eternal Angel of the Father, who created on behalf of the Father's will/command). Therefore, there are created 'angels' (messengers, as Gabriel), and uncreated and eternal 'Angels' (Messengers, as The Son of the Father (Revelation 10:1), and the Holy Ghost (Revelation 18:1).

Yet, in Hebrews 1:1-3, we see that the Son is the highest messenger for, or on behalf of, the Father. We see that the Son (uncreated and eternal), as a messenger, is identified with the other messengers (created, as Gabriel), when Hebrews 1:9 states that the Son was anointed "above" His "fellows" (context? Hebrews 1:7,14, the other 'angels' (the created messengers, heavenly as Gabriel and human, as Malachi (whose name means 'angel' or messenger')).

The Father has two eternal and uncreated covering messengers (the Son and the Holy Ghost).

The Son has two covering messengers (Gabriel and 'Herald').

The Holy Ghost has two covering messengers (holy angelic hosts and sanctified humanity, or even the Law and the Testimony in a spiritual sense).

While this is true it does not change the fact that angels, archangels, cherubim and seraphim are CREATED BEINGS. So if you are trying to promote the heresy that Christ is a created being it is you who does not believe Scripture.

Sure there are a lot of ancient heresies, but that does not make them true, And then again, we need to be very clear whether the people teaching those heresies were actually Christians or not.

Since you are trying to promote the idea that Michael the archangel is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ (His Creator) then you are a heretic plain and simple. And even the verse in Jude that refer to Michael shows us that he did not have the authority of the Lord. Hence "The LORD rebuke thee". Why would he say this if he was in fact the LORD?

The Bible also that that after the first and second admonition we are to reject heretics. Which means that I for one will not bother to address any more of your nonsensical posts.

I just stated, on several occasions, that the Son of the Father is the uncreated and eternal "angel" (Messenger) of the Father. I do not have the heresy. I have stated, and demonstrated with evidence, the truth of the matter, very clearly.

When did you address anything I have stated in evidence even once?

If you read chapter ten of Daniel, the identity of Michael is revealed.

Daniel converses with his Lord as shown below.

Daniel 10:13
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in my way for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

In the verse above Michael is identified as one of the chief princes.

The human like figure earlier in this chapter is called, "my Lord", by Daniel.

Michael is but one of the angelic beings, princes, and definitely not the Lord.

If I remember correctly, the SDA also believe Michael is the Lord.

It is a mistake in understanding to take that position, that because Michael is identified as "one of the chief princes" that it somehow means he is not Deity, or the Person of the Son of the Father.

1. Michael is one of the "chief" "princes" (ruler).

[A.] Two main princes (rulers) in the Great Controversy (Rev. 12), Michael (Prince of Peace) & Dragon (Prince of Devils).

[06] The Two Princes

There are Two Main Princes [rulers] throughout the scriptures, the King James Bible.

[I.] The Good [Jesus/Michael/[E/I]mmanuel/Lamb, etc], the True and Everlasting “Prince”; who is God, even the Son of the Father, uncreated Creator:

Isaiah 9:6 KJB - “... the Prince of Peace ...”
Daniel 8:11 KJB - “... the Prince of the Host ...”
Daniel 8:25 KJB - “… the Prince of Princes ...”
Daniel 9:25 KJB - “... Messiah the Prince ...”
Daniel 10:13 KJB - “... Michael, one of the Chief Princes ...”
Daniel 10:21 KJB - “... Michael your Prince ...”
Daniel 11:22 KJB - “... the prince of the covenant ...”
Daniel 12:1 KJB - “... Michael … the Great Prince ...”
Acts 3:15 KJB - “... the Prince of Life ...”
Acts 5:31 KJB - “... a Prince and a Saviour ...”
Revelation 1:5 KJB - “... Jesus Christ … Prince of the Kings of the Earth ...”

...

[II.] The Wicked [Satan/Dragon/Serpent/Devil/Lucifer, etc], the usurping “prince” who is a creature, created [as Lucifer] by the Son of the Father.

Daniel 10:13 KJB - “... the prince of the kingdom of Persia ...”
Daniel 10:20 KJB - “... the prince of Persia ...”
Matthew 9:34 KJB - “... devils through the prince of the devils.”
Matthew 12:24 KJB - “... cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”
Mark 3:22 KJB - “... Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devil.”
John 12:31 KJB - “... the prince of this world ...”
John 14:30 KJB - “... the prince of this world ...”
John 16:11 KJB - “... the prince of this world is judged.”
Romans 8:38 KJB - For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Ephesians 2:2 KJB - “... the prince of the power of the air ...”
Ephesians 3:10 KJB - To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Ephesians 6:12 KJB - “... against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places] ...”
Colossians 1:16 KJB - “... thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers ...”
Colossians 2:15 KJB - “... principalities and powers ...”

[B.] There are many chief princes (Isaiah 43:28 KJB) of the sanctuary (High Priests), and Jesus is among them, as High Priest.

[C.] There are many rulers of kingdoms, and Jesus is a ruler, as King over Israel (Numbers 23:21 KJB) and Revelation 19:16 shows that Jesus is a King over other Kings (Christians) that does not negate that He is "one of the chief princes (rulers)", as shown.

[D.] Jesus is the "last Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45 KJB), and as such is the Head representative of the family of this world, while there are head representatives of the other unfallen worlds, also called "sons of God" (Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7, etc KJB).

[E.]. Michael as Archangel is then also one among other Archangels (though He is the highest), such as Gabriel, also an archangel. Even satan is an arch angel.

[F.] Among the "apostles", Jesus is the Highest "Apostle" (Hebrews 3:1 KJB). That Jesus is the only begotten Son (same nature of Deity, as His Father), does not mean that Jesus is also not among His "fellows" (Hebrews 1:9 KJB, heavenly angelic messengers like Gabriel) as highest messenger, anointed above them.

To the matter of "my lord" (Daniel 10:16,17,19), angels (as Gabriel, the covering cherub that "stand in the presence of God" (Luke 1:19)) are of greater authority, in power and might (Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 1:16) at present than general mankind is, for there are many "lords" (Deut. 10:17; Psa. 136:3; 1 Cor. 8:5; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14, 19:16), and angels (like Gabriel) being some of them, who resemble in appearance mankind (Genesis 19:2, 19:1,16; Daniel 8:15, 9:21, 10:16,18; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10). Angels are also in charge of men, as given by them of God, as to watch the children as faithful stewards until their proper inheritance.

Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psa 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

why do JW's and/or SDA's come to a Christian chat board?

I am not sure why this statement/question was given in this thread topic, as the subject matter, as has been demonstrated, is not original, nor unique to, JW or SDA. The comment is out of place, and born in ignorance (not knowing, not having understanding, and not meant to be harsh).

As provided earlier, the matter is found in the early church after the Apostles, such as Melito of Sardis, and all throughout the Reformation, among Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Calvinists, Methodists, Baptists, Scholars, Polymaths, Dictionaries, Bibles (Berlenberger, Genevans), Bible Commentaries, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries and the like, all citing the same scriptures, and many giving the same reasons/ings from those scriptures, in numerous languages, Hebrew, Syriac, Greek, Latin, English, French, Italian, German, and more.