Questions and Answers

Question: My friend's pastor says the archangel Michael is the same spirit personality as Jesus Christ. What does the Bible actually say about the identities of Michael and Christ?

Answer: Some denominations incorrectly assert that Jude 1:9 refers to Jesus Christ with its reference to "the archangel" known as Michael. Their idea is that the term, from the Greek archaggelos for "chief angel," is singular, so must refer to the existence of one supreme archangel. They then connect this verse to 1 Thessalonians 4:16—the only other New Testament use of archaggelos—which states, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God."

The assumption, an incorrect one, is that the returning Christ must thus be the same spirit personality as the archangel Michael.

Of course, to describe an archangel as descending "with the voice of an archangel" makes about as much sense as to describe a human male singing "with the voice of a man." On the other hand, if that singer were far more powerful than any known voice, beyond human comprehension, it would be natural to compare his power to the most powerful voice known. This is how we can best understand Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

His Angels

Another mistaken argument assumes that since Revelation 12:7 describes Michael and an army of "his angels" battling Satan (the dragon), Michael must be the unique head of that army, and must be the same personality as Jesus Christ, whom Scripture elsewhere describes as the commander of powerful angels.

This, too, is a faulty assumption. Every army has ranks and squadrons, such that a sergeant and a general may both call a group of soldiers "my men." Michael having "his angels" does not preclude Michael from being one of the angels under Jesus Christ! Consider, too, the context of Michael's war. Scripture describes Michael as fighting against the dragon and his angels! Yes, Satan has "his angels" and is not Jesus Christ! It is the same with Michael! Satan was once a prince of angels—once perfect in his ways (Ezekiel 28:14-16)! His existence as the luminous Lucifer, the Day Star (star being yet another term for angel and messenger in Hebrew), placed him in no less a position than as a mighty archangel or "covering cherub."

Scripture makes it plain that no angel is any more than a servant. Angels are not to be worshiped (Colossians 2:18, Revelation 22:8-9), and are limited in their office. Were Michael and Christ the same being, we would not see the vastly different ways in which they dealt with Satan. Note that Michael deferred to God's authority in his rebuke of Satan in Jude 1:9—a sharp contrast to Christ's direct and stinging personal rebuke offered in Luke 4:8!

Note also that Jude mentions Jesus Christ directly in Jude 1:1 and Jude 1:17. In no way does he connect his verse 9 mention of Michael with any reference to Jesus Christ. He treats them as two distinct beings—which indeed they are!

That Rock Was Christ!

So, where was Jesus Christ before He came to the earth? Scripture explains that the Word—the Logos— was God, and was with God the Father from eternity (John 1:1). The Word was not a created angel. Indeed, it was the Word—not God the Father—with whom the ancient Israelites interacted (1 Corinthians 10:4). Jesus Christ told the Israelites very directly that they had never known God the Father—only Christ had known Him—and it was Jesus Christ who would reveal the Father to them (John 1:18; 17:25)!

No mere angel could be a fit sacrifice for the sins of mankind; only the divine eternal Son of God, made fully flesh, could fill that role. That Son is Jesus Christ. Scripture clearly reveals that Michael the archangel is a created being who serves under Christ.

[Editor's note: This article has been slightly edited online to clarify that Michael's words to the devil were a rebuke, but rooted in God's authority instead of his own.]