Ask the Pastor – Is Michael the Archangel?

Question:

Is Michael the Archangel?

Answer:

Most Christians who have been presented with this idea have rejected it.  However, there are a number of good reasons to believe that the personage known as Michael the Archangel can be identified as the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, let’s establish the truth that Jesus is not just an angel but that He is God.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Holy Spirit, through prophetic utterances, gave Him many appopriate names.  Emmanual (“God with us,” Matthew 1:23); Jesus (“Saviour,” Matthew 1:21); the Lamb of God (John 1:29); Christ (“Messiah,” “annointed One” or “King,” John 1:41).  Names in Biblical times were very important.  Whenever the letters “el” were attached to a name, it had a reference to God.  In the very name of Michael (“One like God”), only Jesus could be described as “One like God,” because He is God.

Some believe that the title, Michael the Archangel, could not refer to Jesus, because they feel this would bring Christ down to the level of a mere angel.  But we need to understand that the prefix arch comes from the Greek word that means ruler, one who reigns over.  Jesus can rightfully assume the position of ruler over all angels without being an angel Himself.

The Bible is given to us to teach us the truths of the kingdom of heaven.  In Joshua 5:13–15, we read of the Lord telling Joshua how to capture the city of Jericho.  As we read further, we find that this heavenly being assumed the form of a man.  When Joshua asked if he was friend or foe, he was told that this person was “Captain of the host of the Lord.”  This is just another way of saying, He is the archangel or ruler of the heavenly hosts.

Daniel 12:1 tells us that Michael is the great prince who stands watch over the sons of the people.  A prince is the son of a king and Jesus is the Son of God, the King of heaven.

As we read Daniel, we discover that Michael is a prince and that the Messiah is a prince.  Now, if Michael is a prince and Messiah is a prince, then two things equal to the same are equal to each other.  In this context then, the Messiah and Michael are the same person, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life Ministry. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to LandMarks@StepstoLife.org, or mail it to LandMarks, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.