Is it true JW's think Jesus is Michael the Angel?

Question

If yes, why?

Answer 1

It is interesting to note that the term "Archangel" is never used in the plural throughout canonical scripture, indicating there is only one. There are only two references in canonical scripture that mention the Archangel. Who is he?

According to Jude 9 his name is "Michael". Some say that Michael is actually Jesus. What do the scriptures say about this? At 1 Thessalonians 4:16 it states (Wycliffe New Testament):

"For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven, in the commandment, and in the voice of an archangel [in the commanding, and in the voice of the archangel], and in the trump of God; and the dead men that be in Christ, shall rise again first."

This scripture indicates that Jesus speaks with the Archangel's voice, showing that he is the Archangel. This is supported in Matthew 24:30-31. It isn't proper to say Jesus would have the voice of someone in lesser authority to him, if indeed Michael were someone else. We say this because Christ has been given all authority from God (1 Corinthians 15:27), and so all others (except the Father Himself) would be in lesser authority.

Other scriptures to back this up: According to Daniel 10:13 Michael is referred to as a foremost prince, Daniel 10:21 speaks of Michael being the prince of the people, and Daniel 12:1 refers to Michael as a great prince who'll stand in behalf of the people. Compare these with Revelation 12:7-12 which speaks of Michael battling with the dragon and winning.

These all connect with references to Jesus: Isaiah 9:6-7 prophesies Jesus being the Prince of Peace (Michael vanquishing the dragon would give peace), and Revelation 19:11-19 prophesies Christ being the one to stand up for rule. Also, since according to scripture the Father is King (Matthew 5:34-35) and the Son is in lesser authority, thus a prince (1 Corinthians 11:3), this would make Jesus the crown prince of Yahweh's kingdom - the prince of all princes.

Answer 2

It doesn't matter what you or I think. What does the Bible say?

1 Thessalonians 4:16 states:

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:

Compare that with John 5:25 that states:

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.

Whose voice according to Paul raises the dead? The Archangel. Whose voice raises the dead according to the book of John? Jesus Christ. So Christ must be the Archangel Michael. This is the only Archangel spoken of in scripture. Arch in this instance means "over" the angels. Captain of the Lord's Host. Head of the armies of God.

Is it any wonder Christ calls Himself, the Ressurection and the Life. He alone has the power of life to raise the dead. In this case the JW's have it right, but not necessarily for the right reasons. Michael is Christ's preincarnate name, his warrior name if you will. BTW, I am not a JW, just a student of scripture.

Answer 3

Jesus was Michael the archangel who became a man, The Watchtower, May 15,
1963, p. 307; The New World, 284.

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”? Heb. 1:5

Answer 4

Jehovah's Witnesses do happen to believe that Michael is Jesus, but the idea is hardly central to their faith. It is just that a child can recognize what the bible says about the idea...

Is not Jesus Christ the primary "Seed" who defeats Satan? The Millennial Rule begins with Satan's abyssing, performed by Christ Jesus, and no mere subsidiary. Thus, when Revelation 12:7-9 tells us that "Michael" performs this work, Jehovah's Witnesses are convinced that "Michael" is simply another name for Jesus, just as "Immanuel", "Sprout", "David", and "The Word" are additional names of Jesus (see Matt 1:23 ["Immanuel"]; Zech 6:12 ["Sprout", "Branch", or "Shoot"]; Ezek 37:24,25 ["David"]; Rev 19:13 ["The Word of God"]).

(Genesis 3:15) He [the Seed of God's woman] will bruise you [the original serpent Satan] in the head

(Revelation 12:7-9) Michael and his angels battled with the dragon... So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan

(Revelation 20:1-3) And I saw an angel... And he seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. And he hurled him into the abyss

(Revelation 20:6-7) Rule as kings with [Christ] for the thousand years.


Almost comically, the same trinitarians who insist that Jesus cannot have another name are the same persons who pretend that Jesus is also called Jehovah.

While anti-Witnesses pretend that Jehovah's Witnesses rely upon one Scripture for the belief that Jesus is the archangel Michael, that passage (1 Thes 4:14-16) is simply the easiest, most concise demonstration of the fact.
...(1 Thessalonians 4:14-16) Jesus died and rose again, so, too... the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice

Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

Answer 5

Yes. Here's why:

The spirit creature called Michael is not mentioned often in the Bible. However, when he is referred to, he is in action. In the book of Daniel, Michael is battling wicked angels; in the letter of Jude, he is disputing with Satan; and in Revelation, he is waging war with the Devil and his demons. By defending Jehovah’s rulership and fighting God’s enemies, Michael lives up to the meaning of his name—“Who Is Like God?” But who is Michael?

At times, individuals are known by more than one name. For example, the patriarch Jacob is also known as Israel, and the apostle Peter, as Simon. (Genesis 49:1, 2; Matthew 10:2) Likewise, the Bible indicates that Michael is another name for Jesus Christ, before and after his life on earth. There are Scriptural reasons for drawing that conclusion.

God’s Word refers to Michael “the archangel.” (Jude 9) This term means “chief angel.” Notice that Michael is called the archangel. This suggests that there is only one such angel. In fact, the term “archangel” occurs in the Bible only in the singular, never in the plural. Moreover, Jesus is linked with the office of archangel. Regarding the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 states: “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice.” Thus the voice of Jesus is described as being that of an archangel. This scripture therefore suggests that Jesus himself is the archangel Michael.The Bible states that “Michael and his angels battled with the dragon . . . and its angels.” (Revelation 12:7) Thus, Michael is the Leader of an army of faithful angels. Revelation also describes Jesus as the Leader of an army of faithful angels. (Revelation 19:14-16) And the apostle Paul specifically mentions “the Lord Jesus” and “his powerful angels.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7; Matthew 16:27; 24:31; 1 Peter 3:22) So the Bible speaks of both Michael and “his angels” and Jesus and “his angels.” (Matthew 13:41) Since God’s Word nowhere indicates that there are two armies of faithful angels in heaven—one headed by Michael and one headed by Jesus—it is logical to conclude that Michael is none other than Jesus Christ in his heavenly role.

Answer 6

I don't see why. It's the main reason I never joined them. Michael and Jesus are two totally different entities. Michael, for one, is a mere creature. Jesus shares the Godhead and is ipso facto, uncreated (certain restrictions apply). Michael has eyes that burn like molten bronze. Jesus does not. Michael is a warrior and carries a lance. Jesus does not. Michael gets to lock the gates of hell. Jesus will be too busy for those kinds of details.

Answer 7

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the archangel, the highest created being. This contradicts many Scriptures which clearly declare Jesus to be God (John 1:1,14; 8:58; 10:30).

Answer 8

Yes, we believe that Jesus is Michael the ARCHangel in his heavenly role.
At 1 Thess.4:16 (RS),the command of Jesus Christ for the resurrection to begin is desribed as "the archangel's call," and Jude 9 says that the archangel is Michael.Would it be appropriate to liken Jesus' commanding call to that of someone lesser
in authority?
Interestingly,the expression "archangel" is never found in the plural in the Scriptures,thus implying that there is only one.

Answer 9

It's mentioned a couple of times in the bible, and evidently Jesus had other roles before coming to earth as a human. He's referred to as the Word at one point so why should the designation "Chief Angel" offend anyone? In the beginning God said, "Let Us, " so we know he had company. As someone brought out, it is a minor belief, so why does it matter? .

Answer 10

cause they think it was said that michael was the first born son or something. They say that Michael is the only archangel, but we know there are several.