Bible in general (Archive 1)

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Bible Question: IS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE IN THE SCRIPTURES TO SUPPORT THE THEORY THAT THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL IS ACTUALLY THE PRE-ENCARNATE JESUS? CAN WE ALSO ASSUME THAT "THE ANGEL OF THE LORD" AS HE SPOKE TO MOSES IS ALSO THE SAME PERSON(JESUS, MICHAEL)?

Bible Answer: This is a valuable question to consider and look at carefully in the Scriptures because it is a point of doctrine common to some cults and is a sign of danger when encountered in teaching.

1) No, Michael and Christ are definitely NOT the same person. Michael is one of the archangels, and Christ is greater than the angels. The angels of God worship Him. (Hebrews 1:6). This concept of linking Michael and Christ has been an attractive idea to some who seek to expand beyond the Scriptures to some "deeper" understanding, and it seems to be a repeated tendency among cults of different ages (Jehovah's Witnesses, for example). Be very wary of any group or teacher who comes to you with this suggestion, and go to the Scriptures directly to test it.

There are numerous references to Michael as one of the angels, and specifically as an archangel -- or one of the chief princes among the angels. For example, the angel speaking with Daniel in Daniel 10-12 refers to Michael as "one of the chief princes" (Daniel 10:13), and identifies Michael as the archangel specifically assigned to watch over the nation of Israel (Daniel 12:1). Some actually argue that the one speaking to Daniel in chapters 10-12 is the pre-incarnate Christ. The speaker refers to Michael in the third person as a prince who fights alongside him in battle. Regardless of the identity of the messenger, Michael is clearly identified by him as simply an archangel and not God. As already pointed out by srbaegon, Michael did not dare pronounce a railing judgment against Satan in Jude verse 9 either. God the Son would have no problem pronouncing judgment if He so decided to do. Michael and Satan are archangels, one faithful and the other fallen. Michael is not the judge of Satan. Finally, again in Revelation 12 Michael is identified as the leader of an army of angels who defend Israel against Satan and his army of angels. He is again portrayed as the faithful counterpart to the fallen Satan. (Rev 12:1-9).

In contrast, Christ is carefully distinguished from all the angels in Hebrews 1 and elsewhere as being unique and unlike any of the angels. He is "the radiance of [God's] glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power." (Hebrews 1:3)

2) The Angel of the Lord, on the other hand, is God. He receives worship (Judg 13:20), is referred to by Himself and others interchangeably as God Himself (Gen 22:12; Exodus 3; Judg 2:1-4; Judg 6:22; etc.), and conversation with Him is treated as conversation with God (Genesis 16:10-13). It is reasonable to assume that He is the pre-incarnate Christ, since their qualifications match and their roles can be seen as parallel (One "The Messenger of God" and the other The eternal "Word"), and this is a common assumption among the experts whom I've read. I believe there are earlier threads to search related to the identity of the "Angel of the Lord," where additional passages are cited and better clarification is offered.