Who Is Micahel The Archangel?

Before we discuss who Michael the Archangel is, we first need to understand his title. What does “Archangel” mean? The term “Archangel” actually comes from a combination of two words, “arch” and “angel”.

Michael - Who is like God (מִֽיכָאֵל). ( Hebrew Source, Greek source)

Arch - The Head/Chief of (ἄρχω) (Source)

Angel - Angel (ἄγγελος)

Michael the Archangel therefore means “who is like God the head/chief of the angels”.

Can a God become a man?

1 Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh…”

Is it blasphemy to call Jesus a man whilst being a God? I believe not.

Can a God be called an angel?

The Angel of the Lord appeared unto Moses. Exodus 3:2 “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.”

Only the angel of the Lord was in the bush. However, the Bible says that angel was God. Exodus 3:4 “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.”

Paul confirms the Lord here to be an angel. Acts 7:30-31 “And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him.”

Acts 7:38 “This is he [Moses], that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us.” Moses spoke to an angel in Sinai?

Which person from the Godhead did Moses see?

Galatians 4:14 “And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” (The word “even” is inserted)

Zechariah 12:8 “In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.”

We know that this Angel of the Lord must be Jesus, for no man has seen God (The Father) at anytime. 1 John 4:12 “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” However, people have seen this angel who they also called God.

 

Can an angel redeem man?

Genesis 48:16 “The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads…”

Galatians 4:4,5 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son… To redeem them that were under the law.” A typical angel cannot redeem man, but the Angel of the Lord, Jesus, can. In fact, it was Jesus who led the Children of Israel through the wilderness.

Exodus 23:20 “Behold, I [The Father] send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.”

Exodus 23:21 “Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.”

Exodus 32:34 “Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.”

So Moses is preparing to go, The Father has just told Moses that he will send his Angel before the children of Israel. However, Moses is then talking to another person, who is also called Jehovah. This person says “I will go with you”.

Exodus 33:12 “And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.”

Exodus 33:14 “And he [the Lord Jesus] said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”

Paul confirms Jesus was the one who led the children of Israel in the wilderness, 1 Corinthians 10:9  “Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.”

Let’s recap:

Can we call Jesus a God? Yes.

Can we call Jesus a man? Yes.

Can we call Jesus an angel? Yes.

Can we call Jesus the chief of the angels?

Joshua 5:14 “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?”

Can we worship angels?

Colossians 2:18 “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels…”

Therefore who is the captain (head) of the angels?

Joshua 6:2 “And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.”

Hence, can we call Jesus the chief of the angels? Yes.

Does Archangel mean chief of angels? Yes.

Can we call Jesus “Jesus the Archangel”? Logically speaking, yes.

If Jesus had another name, Michael, wouldn’t that make him “Michael the Archangel”? The problem many have with the term “Michael the Archangel” is that it conjures up the image of another character in their minds. When we say Jesus is therefore Michael the Archangel, this doesn’t mean Jesus is only an angel and not a God. However, Michael the Archangel is just another title for Jesus, which the angels would’ve known Him by.

When did the belief that Michael was just an angel begin?

After Constantine defeated Licinius in the battle of Adrianople, he took the eastern portion of the empire, thus having an Emperor in Rome once more. There was a widespread tradition that Constantine visited a statue dedicated to Zeus and turned it into a church. The report is that he had a vision of Michael the Archangel. Whilst the report about Constantine’s vision may have been fabricated later, it is certain that Christians went to visit a statue similar to the one below, and Christians “reported” healings at that same site. That same site to the pagans was previously associated with healing and medicine.

The Michaelion (not the original statue)

Constantine and the image on his coin showing the crushing of a serpent.

The Roman Catholic Church propagated the belief of Michael being an angel: “Regarding his rank [Michael] in the celestial hierarchy opinions vary; St. Basil (Hom. de angelis) and other Greek Fathers, also Salmeron, Bellarmine, etc., place St. Michael over all the angels; they say he is called "archangel" because he is the prince of the other angels; others (cf. P. Bonaventura, op. cit.) believe that he is the prince of the seraphim, the first of the nine angelic orders.” - source

As the Catholic Church invented another character in place of Jesus’s other title, many, when they grow up are taught “Michael the Archangel” is the head of angels and just an angel. Thus, an external character who doesn’t exist is created in their minds. Whilst many will not have a problem with calling Jesus an Angel (as the scriptures are too clear), they can’t call Him Michael because that place in their mind is already taken.

When we say Jesus is Michael the Archangel, it’s not us relegating Jesus’s position, but we confess Michael the Archangel is a God. We confess that Jesus the man is also Michael the Archangel.

When was Jesus given the name “Jesus” or “(I/E)mmanuel”?

Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

The two names, Jesus and Emmanuel were given when he was born. My question then becomes, what do you think the angels were calling Jesus before He became a man? The Bible is trying to give us that answer as Michael (who is like God) the Archangel (chief of the angels). Take a human who may have two names and occupations. He can be Jack the banker on the weekdays and John the painter in his spare time. His full name can be Jack John Johnson.

How many Princes do humans have?

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

 

In prophecy, Jesus is called the “prince of the covenant”.

Daniel 11:22 “And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.”

Gabriel says Michael is Daniel’s prince.

Daniel 10:21 “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 9:25 “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”

Isn’t the prince of the covenant Daniel’s prince? Does Daniel have two princes? It is clear that because Gabriel knows Jesus as Michael, he doesn’t say Jesus your Prince but Michael your Prince. Earlier on in the scripture, we see this: Daniel 10:13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”

The word “one” in Hebrew can also mean “first”. The correct definition which should be applied here should be “first”. Why? Well, later in the chapter Gabriel says this Prince is Daniel’s Prince. Hence if Michael was just one of many princes, Gabriel would've said “Michael one of your princes”. Daniel would have many princes.

Gabriel needed the help of Michael (Jesus) in resisting the devil. The devil was a covering cherub in heaven before he fell. Hence why in Revelation it was Jesus and his angels fighting against the devil and his angels.

Revelation 12:7 “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.”

Gabriel didn’t need help in terms of physical strength, for Jesus could have just given him that. However, Satan was clearly working on the mind of Cyrus with his arguments. Here, Michael (Jesus) came to rebuke Satan.

Daniel 10:11-13 “And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 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 [first] of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”

Angels work on the minds of humans to sway them in the good direction, however, demons (fallen angels) work on the minds of humans to make them make bad decisions. We know this to be true because of Jesus’ response to Peter’s rebuke to Him after He foretold the disciples about His upcoming death and resurrection. Matthew 16:22-23 “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Satan (a fallen angel) acted on Peter and made him say those words to Jesus, thus proving that angels and demons can influence us in more ways than we think. Cyrus withstood Gabriel by ignoring the intentions of the Spirit of God being placed into his mind. Hence one mightier than Gabriel was needed to change the heart of Cyrus. Daniel 10:13 “…but, lo, Michael, one [first] of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia…” After the kingdom of Persia, Gabriel would even go to fight (spiritually) with the kings of Greece. Daniel 10:20 “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.” The thing is, Gabriel was the one who even helped king Darius in his reign. Daniel 11:1 “Also I [Gabriel] in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.”

We see the work of the angels in this regard in terms of putting the thoughts and intentions of the Holy Spirit into our minds. However, the devil is always seeking to resist that work. Daniel saw a vision of Michael, so great was this vision that Daniel saw his corruption clearly, he saw how sinful he was.

Daniel 10:5-6 “Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”

John saw a similar vision of Jesus: Revelation 1:13-16 “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”

Interestingly, the only people in Daniel 10 are Gabriel and Michael, so either we believe Gabriel looks like Michael, or Michael is Jesus and that’s why they look the same.

After going into detail about what would take place in the future, notice what Gabriel says about the second coming.

Daniel 12:1 “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Firstly, who stands up for God’s people?

Isaiah 3:13 “The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.”

When Jesus comes back, what does Paul say about His shout?

1 Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”

Paul doesn’t say “with the voice of an archangel”, he says the shout that Jesus will descend with is the “voice of the archangel”. At this point, some may even venture to say, maybe it’s not His voice. The term “with the” means it belongs to him.

Example: James 1:18 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

In James 1:18, do we say the word of truth belongs to someone else? No! The term “with the” can also mean that thing belongs to the person. We’re already told the Lord will be the one shouting. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout”. There’s one voice here. One shout.

Remember how Daniel 12:1 says, “Michael shall stand up” at the same time Jesus is meant to come back? What happens at the second coming? Do those in the graves hear the voice of Jesus?

John 5:26-29 “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.”

Daniel 12:1-2 “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.”

There is ONE voice that is heard. Jesus doesn’t say they will hear the voice of “me and my angel”. Just His voice, because Jesus the human is also known as Michael the Archangel!

Another example

Remember the work of the angels is to do the will of the Holy Spirit, to work on the minds of men. When Joshua the high priest bowed to Jesus as the angel of the Lord, Satan came to resist him. Zechariah 3:1 “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” The Bible then says the Lord spoke to Satan.

Zechariah 3:2 “And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?”

Why did the Lord, who is the angel of the Lord, say “the Lord rebuke thee”? It’s because He was speaking about the Father.

Zechariah 3:2 “And the Lord [Jesus] said unto Satan, The Lord [The Father] rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord [The Father] that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?”

There are times when Jesus himself will resist Satan Himself. Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

Jesus rebuked Satan when He came to argue against Moses being resurrected. The war that happened in heaven was between Jesus with His angels and Satan with his angels. Revelation 12:7-9 “And there was war in heaven: Michael [Jesus] and his angels fought against the dragon [Satan]; and the dragon [Satan] 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.”

That’s why Jesus says He beheld Satan fall as lightning from heaven! He was the one who kicked him out! Luke 10:18 “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” See the revelations we can miss when we are taught false doctrine?

 

Did Protestants believe that Michael was Jesus at one point?

Yes. In the footnotes of the Geneva Bible, long before there was a Jehovah's Witness or Seventh-Day Adventist, they stated this about Daniel 12:1 - “The Angel here noteth two things: first that the Church shall be in great affliction and trouble at Christ’s coming, and next that God will send his Angel to deliver it, whom here he calleth Michael, meaning Christ, which is published by the preaching of the Gospel.” - source

See the old English version here.

More scriptures show the Angel of the Lord is Jesus.

In the story of Balaam, we see the angel of the Lord met Balaam:

Numbers 22:35 “And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak…”

Then we see that God met Balaam:

Numbers 23:4-5, "And God met Balaam: … And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.”

In that same story we see the interchange happening between the angel of the Lord and God:

Numbers 22:23 “And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.”

Numbers 22:24 “But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.”

Numbers 22:25 “And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.”

Numbers 22:26 “And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.”

Numbers 22:27 “And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.”

Numbers 22:31 “Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.”

Numbers 22:32 “And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:”

Numbers 22:34 “And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.”

Numbers 22:35 “And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.”

As Lord or God:

Numbers 22:28 “And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?”

Numbers 22:31 “Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.”

Numbers 23:4 “And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.”

Numbers 23:5 “And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.”

Numbers 23:16 “And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.”

In the time of Gideon, who said they made the children of Israel leave Egypt?

Judges 2:1 “And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.”

But the Israelites which were chastened in the wilderness were chastened by the Lord?

Amos 4:10 “I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.”

Then in Judges, the same angel of the Lord is called the Lord again:

Judges 6:14 “And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?”

Then we see once again the switching between “Angel of God”, “Lord” and “the angel of the Lord”.

Judges 6:16 “And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.”

Judges 6:20 “And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.”

Judges 6:21 “Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.”

Judges 6:22 “And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.”

Judges 6:23 “And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.”

Can an angel save humanity? Surely not.

Isaiah speaking about the Father says in Isaiah 63:8-9 “For he [the Father] said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he [Jesus] was their Saviour. 9 In all their affliction he [Jesus] was afflicted, and the angel of his [The Father’s] presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”

Could that be why the Lord Jesus is always described as having wings?

Ruth 2:12 “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

Psalms 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,”

Psalms 36:7 “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”

Psalms 61:4 “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.”

Psalms 63:7 “Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.”

Psalms 91:4 “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

Malachi 4:2 “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

Interesting fact

A quick note to add. The belief that Jesus is Michael the archangel did not start with the “Jehovah’s Witnesses” as some believe. Jehovah’s Witnesses did not originally believe that Jesus was Michael. They believed that Michael was an angel also obedient to Jesus:

“Hence it is said, ''Let all the angels of God worship him"; [that must include Michael, the chief angel, hence Michael is not the Son of God] and the reason is, because he has ''by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they." Michael or Gabriel are perhaps grander names than Jesus, though Jesus is grand in its very simplicity, but the official character of the Son of God as Saviour and King is the inheritance from his Father, which is far superior to theirs, for it pleased the Father that in him all fullness should dwell” - The Watchtower, 1879

I pray you were blessed by this study, and you can see that the angels do indeed worship our Lord and Saviour, but they have a special name for Him. Michael, of which we’ve corrupted and given to a pagan image. The Bible, however, clears up that image and restores the title Michael the Archangel back to our God, King, Lord, and Saviour Jesus.