Expert: Gordon Cook - 1/26/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I currently study with the Jehovah Witnesses...love it, love them.  They are nice folks. Many of the Truths I've found out are great but I get stuck on Michael the Archangel....I'm not quite sure if this is Jesus Christ...Pls read Luke 2:21.  It mentions that Jesus was his name before he was conceived in the womb....& in Hebrews 1:1-8...Did the WT ever point out these scriptures ?

Thx,

Ann

ANSWER: Is Jesus Really Michael the Archangel?

The Watchtower assertion:   Jesus was, in his pre-human existence, Michael the archangel.  After his ascension into heaven, he again took up his name “Michael”.  All following scripture citations are from the New World Translation, .

Biblical evidence offered:
1.      The Book of Daniel references Michael as being “a great prince” who stands on behalf of Israel.  (Dan. 10:13, 20, 21; 12:1).   Jesus is also associated with defending Jerusalem at the battle of Har-Magedon (Rev. 11:15; 16:14-16).  Therefore, Jesus is Michael.
2.       Michael is believed to be the “Angel of the Lord” or archangel who accompanied the Israelites in the wilderness, and Christ himself is said to have been with the Israelites at that time.   Since the term “archangel” is only used in the singular, in relation to Michael, (Jude 9) there can only be one “chief” of angels, which would be Michael/Jesus.
3.      Jesus’ Second Coming is said to be with the commanding call of an “archangel’s voice”.  (I Thess. 4:16-18).  Therefore, Jesus is the archangel, who is Michael.
4.      Jesus is depicted as leading the heavenly host at the end of the age (Rev. 19:11-16).  Revelation also says that  “Michael and the angels battled the dragon”.  (Rev 12:7,10,12).   Therefore Michael is Jesus.  

Examination of the thesis:
First of all, it must be noted that there is no overt scripture that will support the thesis equating Michael with Jesus.   It is ironic that the Watchtower is ever-critical of the teaching of the Trinity, on the grounds that if it were true “it would clearly and consistently be presented in the Bible.” (Should You Believe in the Trinity, pg. 5).    Yet, although the Watchtower rejects the Deity of Christ on what they consider lack of overt biblical evidence, they have no qualms with manufacturing a new identity for Jesus out of whole cloth, which has not only no direct biblical support, but was unknown to the church from the apostolic period until the 19th century.    The phrases “it is only logical” and  “it is only reasonable”  are used repetitively to try to support this novel teaching.    Looking at the scriptures that they use in attempt to infer the connection between Michael and Jesus, we will see that the Bible actually establishes that they are most certainly not the same individual.

The Evidence Examined:
Point 1.  Although  Daniel calls Michael “a great prince”, that is not a title which is applicable to Jesus.   Rather , Jesus is referred to in Revelations the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords (Revelations 19:16).   There is a qualitative difference between “a” prince, and the King of Kings.   This actually argues against the possibility of them being the same individual.

Point 2.  Although, according to Paul,  it is true that Jesus did spiritually accompany the Israelites in the wilderness (1 Cor.10:4),   the text presented specifically says that Christ was the “Rock-mass that followed”.   The texts that the Watchtower cites as being indicative of the presence of Michael in the wilderness (Exodus 23:20, 21, 23; 32:34; 33:2) in every instance speaks of the “angel” that “went ahead” of the Israelites.   The angel went ahead, the “rock-mass” followed behind, so clearly the writers of sacred scripture were not trying to equate the angel with Christ.   

Although it is a minor note, it should also be pointed out that the Watchtower assertion that there is only one archangel is without substantial support.   Actually, since Michael, who is identified as an archangel in the New Testament is called “a prince”, in Daniel, then it infers right off that there are others of comparable rank.  

Point 3.  The faulty assumption has been made by the Watchtower that the “with an archangel’s voice”  phrase (I Thess 4:16) is a description of Jesus “voice” at his second coming.  That is not so.  A simple examination of the description of Christ’s return in Rev 19:16,17 reveals that while the “King of Kings” is descending, John says “I also saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice…”   It is clear that at Christ’s return, there is an angel who is speaking with a loud voice, not Christ.

Point 4.  The Watchtower makes the mistake of trying to equate the events of Revelation 12, which depict Michael leading his angels in battle against Satan, with Christ’s return in Revelation 19, leading the heavenly host.  Even a cursory look at the text shows that they are addressing two separate events.   (For example, in the Revelation 12 text Michael is leading his angels, the devil is thrown down to earth for an undisclosed amount of time.  This event is NOT Christ’s Return to fight at Har-magedon).    To make matters worse for the Watchtower, the same text addresses the “male, who is to shepherd the nations with a rod of iron” who is caught up to heaven just previous to the mentioning of Michael battling with Satan.   Since the male-child who is to shepherd the nations is Christ, and Michael is seen in a different role in the same scene, that would clearly prove that Christ is not Michael.

How Else Is Jesus Different from an Angel?
There are a number of other texts that are problematic to the Watchtower thesis.   For example, Jude 9 states that:
“When Michael the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body, he did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms, but said ‘May Jehovah rebuke you’”
Michael himself does not have the authority to rebuke the devil.  However, Jesus himself on numerous occasions rebuked the devil.  (Matthew 4:10; 16:23).   Jesus has the authority in himself to rebuke Satan, unlike Michael the archangel.  That is because Jesus is greater than the angels.  As a matter of fact, there are several places in the Bible that are devoted to that one point.   In Hebrews Chapter 1, nearly the entire chapter is devoted to the idea that Christ is significantly superior to the angels.  Verses 4 through 6 says:
“So he (Christ) has become better than the angels, to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs.   For example, to which of the angels did God ever say ‘You are my son; today I have become your father’ And again: ‘I myself will become his father and he himself will become my son’?  But when He again brings the first-born into the inhabited earth, He says ‘And let all the angels of God worship him’”.  


It is clear that Christ is not an angel.  His is qualitatively superior to angels.  Angels are actually commanded to worship him. (Gr. proskuneo; changed in later NWT versions to “do obeisance”)   There is another startling fact which can be gleaned from this text.  Verse 4 says that Christ has “inherited a name more excellent than theirs (that is, the angels)” .   So the Name of Jesus is more excellent than that of any angel, to the point that the angels are to worship him.   This is completely consistent with other passages in the Bible that affirm that the Name of Jesus is the superlative name of anything under heaven and earth.  

Philippians Chapter 2 verses 9 through 11  says:
“For this very reason, also God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, and those on the earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
So the name of Jesus is the greatest name one could have.  To it every creature and angel must bow.  That brings us to a disturbing aspect of the Watchtower teaching on this subject.   The Watchtower publication “Aid to Bible Understanding”, on page 1152, says that  Jesus is “resuming his heavenly name Michael” as well as the title “Word of God”.   So, according to the Watchtower, Jesus, after having received the name above every name, has casually discarded it in favor of a return to the name Michael, the angel.     Does that make any sense?  Consider that carefully.   The name of Jesus is the name above every other.  We are told that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12), we are to preach in his name (Acts 9:27,28), the church baptized in his name (Acts 2;38).   Paul invoked his name at the beginning and frequently the ending of his letters.  With all that and more, by what authority or evidence are we to believe the name of Jesus has been supplanted by “Michael”?  The answer is that there is no evidence for that whatsoever.  It actually seems blasphemous to even consider.   The fact of the matter is that the Watchtower itself cannot support the assertion that Jesus has resumed the name “Michael.”   Rather, it is a outrageous teaching that they arrived at by deductive necessity. The Watchtower adopted the Michael=Jesus teaching from Charles Taze Russell, the essential founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  When it came to explaining why Michael the archangel is mentioned in the scriptures regarding the end times, the only explanation that one could arrive at is that Jesus turned back into “Michael.”  Thus, a small piece of bad theology for Russell has evolved into full-fledged heresy for the Watchtower.

Conclusion   
Jesus in no way can be the archangel Michael.  Every verse pertaining to the matter suggests that they are not the same.   More over, it defies any explanation why Jesus would again be known as “Michael” after he had already “inherited” the name above all names.   If, according to Watchtower teaching,  Jesus had resumed using the name Michael, then perhaps we should be praying “in Michael’s name” instead of Jesus’ name.  The simple fact is, however, that they are not the same individual.  Nowhere in scripture is it suggested that they are.  Rather Jesus, as the Logos, or Word of God,  is a unique person that was hidden in the Godhead until the fullness of time when he would be born in Israel.  Isaiah 49:2 is a prophecy that may very well be applicable to Jesus.  It says
“He proceeded to make my mouth like a sharp sword.  In the shadow of his hand he has hidden me.  And he gradually made me like a polished arrow.  He concealed me in his own quiver.”
Notice that Jesus, in Revelations 19: 15 is described as having a sharp sword protruding from his mouth.  The speaker of this text goes on to say that he was chosen to gather back Israel and to be a “light for the nations” (Isaiah 49:5,6).   So, according to the Bible, Jesus pre-existed before his birth, but not as an angel, but concealed in the Godhead, so the whole plan of salvation would be hidden until the appointed time.  Even the angels themselves were ignorant of exactly how God’s plan of redemption would work.   (See also I Corinthians 2:7, 8 and I Peter 1;12).    Thus, Jesus is most definitively not Michael, or any other angel.  It is both a scriptural and logical impossibility.  


http://www.freeminds.org/organization/barbara-anderson/why-it-is-dangerous-to-as



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Gordon,

All I can say is WOW... You have made great points...I mostly referred to Hebrews & various other scriptures.  But yours by far is the best...I'm going to paste & cut what someone on your website told me...I sent them the scripture I sent you & I didn't mind for it to be on the AllExperts website...but they didn't answer me like that just answered in an email, which lets me know I hit on something...I love studying with them, but I read the bible on my own..I use theirs NWT & my Bible as well..& I read on my own so many things I see they don't even mention. To go out to preach & teach I have to make sure that I'm sticking to the bible not an organization that wants to be right by any means necessary.  
Here's the email...
ANSWER: "Luke 2:21 said Jesus was his name,not Michael?"

Jesus was also called "the word" in John 1;1 Doubtless on many occasions during his PREHUMAN existence as the Word, Jesus acted as Jehovah’s Spokesman to persons on earth.

Jesus continues to bear the name “The Word of God” since his return to heavenly glory.—Re 19:13, 16.

But the angel didnt say he was called that did he? does that mean Jesus was never called "the word?" no it simply means Jesus had many names.

Hebrews 1:1-8

as the archangel, as well as “the firstborn of all creation,” Jesus had the highest rank among the angels even BEFORE he came to earth.—Colossians 1:15.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrews: “He [Jesus] has become better than the angels, to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs.” (Hebrews 1:4; Philippians 2:9, 10) However, this describes his situation AFTER his having been here on earth. He was still the archangel and “the beginning of the creation by God.” (Revelation 3:14) But he became better than the angels. The ‘more excellent name’ or position is something he did not possess BEFORE coming to earth.

Hence, the fact that Michael is the archangel, chief of the angels, the fact that he stands up to rule as King, and the fact that he takes the lead in casting Satan out of heaven at the time of the birth of God’s Kingdom all lead us to just one conclusion: ‘Michael the great prince’ is none other than Jesus Christ himself.—Daniel 12:1.
I won't tell who this is but..that's how they answered me..& not on AllExperts..

Thx,

Ann

ANSWER: Hi
It is obvious that the reply you got was from a JW.
There is NO evidence in scripture that Jesus is Michael.
The JWs need to twist scripture to make it so, because of their denial of the Deity of Christ.

Here is more information on the subject: Is Jesus Michael the Archangel?


This is the question the Watchtower [hereafter WT] means to answer in their article, Who is Michael the Archangel? (Awake! 2/8/02; p. 16). The WT admits, There is no statement in the Bible that categorically identifies Michael the archangel as Jesus・ but they close the article with, Let, the Scriptures point to the resurrected Jesus Christ as the chief of all angels – Michael the archangel.”  The WT is wrong.  The WT has published a number of articles on the subject over the years and it seems the articles are getting shorter; this one is very short.  The brevity is no doubt due to lack of sound evidence that will stand up to scrutiny, yet the WT continues to identify Michael the Archangel with Jesus.

The fact of the matter is the WT needs Jesus to be Michael.  Here’s why:

The WT agrees with the Christian Church that Jesus Christ existed prior to his human birth in Bethlehem, but it refuses to acknowledge that as the Son of God he had God’s very Nature.  The WT’s dilemma is, then:  if, before he was born in Bethlehem, he wasn’t human, and he wasn’t God, what else could he be?  Their solution:  he had to be an angel!!  - this against clear biblical evidence that he wasn’t, and isn’t, an angel.  

Let’s look at that evidence.

But first, how important is this discussion, anyway?  Jesus said, I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins" (John 8:24 NIV).  To die in one’s sins -- that’s serious!  This discussion is very important!  So whom does the Bible say Jesus is, and whom does it say he isn’t?

Heb. 1:5-8, 13,14:
Nor to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’? Or again, ‘I will be his Father, and he will be my Son’?  And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God's angels worship him.’  In speaking of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.’  But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of your kingdom_.
to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?’”  

Clearly, Jesus is contrasted to, not  identified with, angels; any angel!  He is greater than all angels.  Hebrews has been called ‘the Book of Better Things’:  Jesus is better than the angels, chapter 1; better than Moses, chapter 3; better than the Old Testament priests, chapter 4:14,15.., and so forth.  

This first chapter of Hebrews, then, excludes the possibility that Jesus is Michael.  Isn’t it odd that this Awake article totally ignores this chapter, which deals so specifically with the question at hand?  

Hebrews chapter 1 contains the plainest declaration that Jesus is not an angel, but there is additional evidence:
Angels refused worship, see Rev. 19:10; Rev. 22:8-9. [worship_ in Greek is proskuneo_.  John, the writer of Revelation, says,  I fell at his [the angel’s] feet to worship him.”  But he [the angel] said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! ..."  This scenario is repeated in chapter 22.  The angel’s response is the same, Do not do it!”  Angels refused worship!

Jesus, however, accepted worship [proskuneo]:  Matthew 14:33; Matthew 28:9,17; Luke 24:52, etc.  
Indeed, in Hebrews 1:6 God commands angels to worship [proskuneo] Jesus.

It’s worth noting that from 1950 through about 1971 the New World Translation translated “proskuneo” uniformly, “worship”, whether for the Father or the Son.   But later editions began to arbitrarily translate proskuneo “obeisance” where a passage has reference to the Son, while continuing to translate proskuneo, “worship”, where it has reference to the Father.  The same Greek word!  The WT’s ambivalence about Heb. 1:6 is due also to the fact that Heb. 1:6  is a quote from Psalm 97:7 where it is “Jehovah” who is being worshipped.  [See the 1950 edition of the New World Translation where a footnote links Heb. 1:6 to Psalm 97:7.]

In Matt. 4:10 Jesus said, Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”  It is therefore significant that Jesus was worshiped. This is no contradiction.  Angels are not to be worshiped; God alone is to be worshiped. When God commands angels to worship Jesus it tells us who Jesus is, and Who He is not!

This creates a problem for the Jehovah’s Witnesses who will not let God’s Word stand, and who hold to their faulty premise that Jesus cannot be God and therefore must be an angel.  Dear Jehovah’s Witness, we pray that God’s Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see who Jesus is, the Son of God and therefore God by nature, worthy of worship.

In an attempt to show that since Michael is an outstanding angel  who must be Jesus, this Awake article states Michael confronts Satan in a dispute over Moses’ body.  (Jude 9)”  

This verse needs to be read in its context to see what the WT has left out.  The context has to do with the sin and doom of godless men who among other things reject authority and slander celestial beings_ (v 8).  Verse 9 then reads, But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"  (The same thought occurs in 2 Pet 2:11, yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord._)  So, Michael confronted Satan as the WT says, but he, being an angel, did not dare to rebuke Satan.

Jesus, on the other hand, personally rebuked Satan.  In Matt 4:10, Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan!”  He rebuked Satan on other occasions too. Jesus is Lord!  The mighty angels, including Michael, who is one of the chief princes[1], know their place.

We do not dispute that Michael is an outstanding angel.  We dispute that that makes him Jesus.  

Finally, let us look at a very interesting chapter that the Awake article barely touches on - Daniel 10.  The WT cites Daniel 10:13, but does not quote it.  The only point the WT makes from the verse is that Michael is fighting wicked demons_.   We quote verse 13 in full:  but the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia._

Please open your Bible to Daniel 10, and let us look at this passage in context.

Starting at verse 4 Daniel describes a vision of a man.  We encourage the reader to compare the description of this man with the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:12-20, as seen by John, the writer of the Revelation.  The inescapable likeness between the two descriptions, of Daniel and of John, is amazing!  Also strikingly similar is the effect the man had on Daniel and John, respectively.  Both Daniel and John fell down, and in each case the man touched them and told them, do not be afraid.

Rev 1:17-18, Then I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”


The conclusion:  The speaker in both passages, Daniel 10 and Revelation 1, is Jesus!
 
What does this have to do with Michael?  Well, read on as this “man” in the vision continues speaking to Daniel.

(Daniel 10:12_):Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.  But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.  Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.’  While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.”

The further conclusion:  The speaker is Jesus, and since he refers to Michael coming to help me, Jesus and Michael are NOT one and the same.  Jesus is not Michael!

Remember, the WT merely cites two verses from this passage, Daniel 10:13 and 12:1.  Can we really believe that they have not read the entire section?    

Now let’s continue; look at Daniel 12:1 in context.  The same speaker is still speaking; in fact he is so prominent that the entire passage to the end of the Book of Daniel, are his words!  Including verse 12:1, where he again refers to Michael as another personage, at that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise・  

Again, the man in this vision has to be Jesus!  Jesus refers to Michael and is thereby differentiated from Michael.  

Therefore conclusively - Jesus is not Michael.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Gordon,
I think they know as well...when I go to the meetings they kind of skim over it...& when I do my studies with my study partner...nothing is really said.  I think this one of those things that might make them squirm. So they leave it off & hope you don't elaborate. Some times we humans can be so smart we outsmart ourselves. When it comes to the trinity...I think God can't die..& that he did send his son for us. Humans can't possibly think that someone would sacrifice for them, 'cause they wouldn't. & If God were the same as Jesus how could he sit on the right side of himself. We would much rather have the sacrifice of animals because that's as far as our pea brains would go.  By nature we are selfish. God or the gospel is not mysterious....it's about at the end of the day....God wants us to be good, take care of one another 'til the end..then if it's paradise or heaven that we go....we'll be prepared..The witnesses say Paradise, others say Heaven...if it's a nice place & we are all naked & happy (LOL), well then that's where I want to be.  We are all afraid of the unknown..so every religion trys to give us a nice ending so we won't be afraid of dying. 'Cause we can't figure if we go on....how will the world get along without me...that's our ego & vanity.  There are so many scriptures they don't acknowlege & I don't debate with them, I just take it all in. I've heard that some don't get baptized if they smoke...so if you murder someone, turn to them (THE Truth) repent you can join them & get baptized. But if you smoke...no no....so here's the scenario...It's judgement day....it's your turn..you tell God your story...# 1 guy I killed someone, but I'm sorry & repent...God says...ok you are good....# 2 guy, I've been faithful, I tried to follow all your commandements...tried to do to the right thing...but couldn't stop smoking...God say ah no...you are not good...you smoke....THE END...I don't think so.  That's human thinking not God's thinking...
What do you say ? I know Michael isn't Jesus & so do you..& so do they but don't know where they could go to worship. Many of them are not that spirutally strong...so the hall is the best place for them or they would go off the deep end.  Looking forward to your reply.

Thx,

Ann

Answer
Hi
You are right in saying that JWs will not answer certain question or think about some things because it would expose them as not having truth.
As to the Trinity there is enough scriptures to show that Jesus is God.
Even the one that says Jesus sits a the right hand side of God, sitting at the right hand side, in royal protocol, means that you are equal to each other.
It all comes down to whether you accept Christ as Saviour, and ask Him into your life.
As He said "I am the Way, the Truth and the LIfe" its is the ONLY way to Salvation, not by belonging to church or organisation. As scripture tells us we will all stand as individuals before Christ to be judged. He will not ask if you were a Catholic, Baptist, JW, Mormon etc, but what were you like as a Christian. What were you in your heart?
A Christian has no fear of death, its just a continuation of life, in fact many Christians refer to it as "going home".
Yes you can't can't baptosed as a JW if you smoke, or living with a person who you are not married to,taking drugs, etc. Also if as a JW you start smoking they will disfellowship you (excommunicate). Have they told you about "Shunning" how if a JW is disfeelowshipped or even if they decide they no longer want to be a JW. Then no other JW is allowed to have contact with them, even own family members. I know this personally, my JW wife and two JW daughters have not spoken to me in the last ten years, or another son/brother and daughter/sister who also left the JWs.
Most JWs are trapped by fear, because they know if they leave what happened to me will happen to them. They are trapped because they know of no ther place to go, they have become reliant on a man-made religion and organisation.
If you become a JW you will not be allowed to question Watctower teachings, it will be seen as a form of rebellion.