Who is Michael the Archangel?

LESSON 10

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Godhead. The topic for this study is: Who is Michael the Archangel? In this study, we will consider in detail what the Bible says in relation to Michael the Archangel. The study is structured in seven sub-sections as follows:

1) LUCIFER'S REBELLION: THE ORIGIN OF THE GREAT CONTROVERSY WAR

The story of Michael, the Archangel is set within the context of the great controversy battle. The great controversy is the cosmic battle between God and Satan. Beloved, sin and warfare was unknown in the universe of God until a perfect angel began to covet the worship, position and authority that is due God alone. From the book of Isaiah, we read the following in relation to the genesis of this great controversy battle: "14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."

(Isaiah 14:12-14; see also Ezekiel 28:12-18) The passage above helps us to understand that Lucifer wanted to usurp the throne of God in heaven. He wanted to set his throne above the stars of God and be like the Most High, even God. In his agenda to overthrow the government of God in heaven, Satan misrepresented the character of God before the angels, and was able to deceive and win one-third of them unto his side (Revelation 12). Soon the controversy which had begun in the mind of one angel led to open rebellion, and brought discord to the serene and beautiful atmosphere of heaven. The rebellion of Lucifer reached the point where something decisive had to be done to restore the peace and harmony of heaven. And so in the councils of the Godhead, it was decided that Lucifer and the angels who were loyal to him were to be expelled from heaven.

2) MICHAEL VERSUS SATAN IN HEAVEN

In the book of Revelation, the apostle John was given a vision about how Satan and his angels were expelled from the courts of heaven: "12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

12:9 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.

12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

(Revelation 12:7-10) In this first cosmic war, we are told that Michael led the angels of God to defeat and cast out Satan and his angels from heaven. The passage helps us to understand that the victory was as a result of the power or might of Christ (review Revelation 12:10). This point helps us to realise that Michael, the Captain who led out the angels of God to defeat Satan and his angels, is none other but Jesus Christ. As we move on in this study, several other passages of Scripture will make this point very clear.

3) MICHAEL VERSUS SATAN AT THE TOMB OF MOSES

At the tomb of Moses, we once again find another cosmic battle between Michael and Satan. The disciple Jude records this battle as follows:

"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" (Jude 1:9).

Through the ages, Satan had claimed all the dead right from Adam as his captives. He had accused them before the universe as not deserving of life because of the sins they had committed in their lifetime. But at the death of Moses, something unprecedented happened that confirmed the salvation of all those who had died believing in the merits of the Redeemer to come (see Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:14). For Michael the Archangel descended from heaven, and contended with the devil for the body of Moses. In this battle, Michael (who we have seen to be Christ; review Revelation 12:7-10) once again defeated Satan, and went ahead to raise Moses from the dead (review Jude 1:9; Romans 5:14; see also Luke 9:27-36).

4) MICHAEL VERSUS THE PRINCE OF PERSIA

In Daniel 10, the prophet Daniel is seriously concerned about the future of his people. The Medo-Persian Empire had overtaken Babylon and was ruling over the entire world. Even though Babylon had been defeated, the Jews were still captives under this new power. As time passes, Daniel realises that the prophecy of the Jews' seventy-year captivity was coming to a close, yet he saw no sign of a coming restoration for his people. For a period of three full weeks, the prophet fasts and brings this issue before the Lord (see Daniel 10:1-3). At the end of the three weeks of fasting and prayers, Daniel receives the following surprising information from Gabriel in regard to His petition: "10:12 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.

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.

10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days."

(Daniel 10:12-14) Beloved, in this passage, the curtain is once again drawn aside for us to behold the conflict that goes on behind the scenes in the great controversy battle. We see how Satan, the Prince of Persia (compare Daniel 10:13 with John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2) blocked the angel who was sent with the wonderful words of explanation and assurance for Daniel in relation to the destiny of his people. Even though Satan could impede Gabriel, he was no match for Michael, his Creator (Ezekiel 28:15; Colossians 1:15-18). In this cosmic battle also, we find Michael once again defeating Satan.

Despite the clear biblical facts we have noted so far about Michael, many have argued from the lenses of Daniel 10:13 that He is just one of the chief princes of heaven, and as such He should not be considered as a Divine Being just as the eternal Father. But friends, it is important for us to note that the Hebrew word 'sar' which is translated as 'princes' in Daniel 10:13 depicts "a head person (of any rank or class): - captain (that had {rule}) chief ({captain}) {general} {governor} {keeper} {lord}" (Strong's Concordance, see H8269).

Moreover, it is interesting to learn that in other areas of Scripture, Christ is also referred to as Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6), Prince of life (Acts 3:15), Prince and Saviour (Acts 5:31), Prince of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5), Messiah the Prince (Daniel 9:25), Michael your Prince (Daniel 10:21), Prince of the host (Daniel 8:11), and the Prince of princes (Daniel 8:25). Amazingly, it is the same Hebrew word 'sar' which is translated as 'prince' in other portions of Daniel such as Daniel 8:11, Daniel 8:25 and Daniel 10:21. Moreover, various equivalents of the word 'sar' are also utilised in the remaining texts that are translated as 'prince' above.

Friends, by comparing Scripture with Scripture, it is clear that Christ is not just one of many princes, but rather, the PRINCE OF PRINCES (Daniel 8:25); an expression similar to His titles such as "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:16), which clearly tell of His divinity. In fact, it is interesting to note that Satan is also described in Scripture as the prince of Persia (Daniel 10:13, 20), the prince of Grecia (Daniel 10:20), the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), and the prince of this world (John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11). Thus, it is clear that in contrasting Christ from Satan (see Daniel 10:13), the angel Gabriel described our Lord correctly as "one of the chief princes", which is literally translated as the first or Prince of princes; a unique expression of His divinity.

5) MICHAEL: CAPTAIN OF THE HOST OF THE LORD

The people of God had now reached the borders of the land of Canaan. The first enemy they had to overcome before they could move forward was Jericho. In all human estimation, it was impossible for them to conquer the city which was well fortified with impregnable walls. But the Israelites were not alone in this battle. Michael, the captain of the host of the Lord had descended to help them. We read the account of this encouraging story in Joshua 5:13-15 as follows: "5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

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?

5:15 And the captain of the LORD's host said unto Joshua, LOOSE THY SHOE FROM OFF THY FOOT; FOR THE PLACE WHEREON THOU STANDEST IS HOLY. And Joshua did so."

(Joshua 5:13-15; Capital Emphasis Added) From the passage above, we realise clearly that Michael, the Captain of the host of the Lord is not just a powerful angel but rather a divine being. We note in the passage how this Being receives worship from Joshua and actually goes further to command him to remove his sandals because the place where he stood was holy ground. Beloved, no mere angel could dare receive worship from God's people, let alone make such a clear divine command. For the Scripture makes it clear that worship is due God alone. We see an illustration of this point in the book of Revelation: "22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God."

(Revelation 22:8-9; see also Revelation 19:10) This passage in the book of Revelation helps us to understand that the man who appeared before Joshua at Jericho was none other than Christ, the divine Son of God; for a mere angel could not have received the worship that is due God alone. Friends, it is interesting to learn that Michael was the same God who appeared to Moses by the burning bush in the plains of Midian. This fact is clearly seen in the divine command that he gave Moses as well. We read the account of this story from Exodus 3:1-6 as follows: "3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

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.

3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

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.

3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: PUT OFF THY SHOES FROM OFF THY FEET, FOR THE PLACE WHEREON THOU STANDEST IS HOLY GROUND.

3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God."

(Exodus 3:1-6; Capital Emphasis Added) Beloved, I believe you can see the parallel now. The same divine command to "PUT OFF THY SHOES FROM OFF THY FEET, FOR THE PLACE WHEREON THOU STANDEST IS HOLY GROUND" that was given to Moses before he begins his ministry as the leader of Israel, is later given to Joshua, his successor, as he prepares to war against Jericho. Friends, it is very clear that the same Divine Being appeared to both leaders of God's people. It is important to note that these recorded accounts about Michael, our Lord Jesus Christ, are not the only times He aided God's people to overcome their enemies. For Christ was also the Angel of the Lord, the God who was with the Israelites throughout their wilderness journey to give them victory over their enemies (compare Exodus 3:2-6 with Acts 7:30-32; compare Exodus 13:21 with Exodus 14:19; also compare Zechariah 3:1-4 with Jude 1:9).

6) MICHAEL STANDS UP TO DELIVER GOD'S END TIME PEOPLE

As Michael stood up with His sword drawn against Jericho, so will He stand up to deliver God's people at the end of time. From the book of Daniel, we read about this encouraging prophecy: "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.

12:2 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."

(Daniel 12:1-2; see also Revelation 19:11-16) From these two passages in Daniel and Revelation, we learn clearly that Michael will once again stand up to deliver God's people who will be living at the very end of the world. In the passage in Daniel 12, we obtain a clue as to the divinity of Michael. This clue has to do with the resurrection. The passage helps us to realise that Michael does not just deliver God's people during the time of trouble, He actually resurrects the dead saints as well, an action that only God is able to perform. The following passages of Scripture serve to confirm this important point: "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:

4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Capital Emphasis Added) From this passage, we learn clearly that it is the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Archangel which raises the dead. The apostle John settles this issue with these powerful words: "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" (John 5:25; Capital Emphasis Added, compare ,John 5:25 with Jude 1:9).

Besides the clear passages above, Christ, the Archangel, makes other similar impressive statements concerning His divine power to raise the dead:

i) "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will" (John 5:21).

ii) "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40).

iii) "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25).

iv) "... even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were" (Romans 4:17).

These texts about the power of Christ to resurrect the dead clearly justify His divine nature. For the apostle Paul makes it clear that it is only God who is able to quicken the dead, and call those things which be not as though they were (review Romans 4:17).

7) From the scriptural passages we have reviewed so far, it is clear that Michael the Archangel is the same as Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God. His war name Michael, which is interpreted: "who is like God" clearly reveal His divine identity. Friends, this study has also made it clear that Satan welds enough power even after his fall. And that it takes only the strength of Michael, his Creator to defeat him (review Ezekiel 28:15; Colossians 1:15-18). We should never think we have strength ourselves in our battle with the enemy. We are no match for the one who is able to block a powerful angel like Gabriel for three full weeks (review Daniel 10:13). However, when we hide in the strength of Christ, we will have no fear about the power of the enemy; for our Lord Michael has proven Himself capable to consistently defeat Satan.

Exhortation: From the pen of inspiration, we read the following clear statements in relation to the identity of Michael the Archangel:

i) "Moses passed through death, but Michael came down and gave him life before his body had seen corruption." - EW 164.2

ii) "Moses passed under the dominion of death, but he was not to remain in the tomb. Christ Himself called him forth to life." - DA 421.3

iii) "The words of the angel, "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God," show that he holds a position of high honor in the heavenly courts. When he came with a message to Daniel, he said, "There is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael [Christ] your Prince." Dan. 10:21." - DA 99.1

iv) "It was Christ who from the bush on Mount Horeb spoke to Moses saying, 'I AM THAT I AM....Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.' Ex 3:14. This was the pledge of Israel's deliverance. So when He came 'in the likeness of men,' He declared Himself the I AM." - DA 24.3

In our next study, we will consider the topic: God the Holy Spirit. The Bible Study references for this study are Matthew 3:13-17, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 12:11, Acts 13:2, John 14:16-17, Acts 5:3-4, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Isaiah 6:5-10, Acts 28:25-27, Romans 8:11, Matthew 28:19, 1 John 5:7 and Matthew 12:31-32. Please do well to go through these passages before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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