About Brandon Harper Expertise I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and was baptized for 21 years. I was a 4th generation Jehovah's Witness both paternally and maternally and am qualified to answer many questions regarding doctrine, doctrinal changes, historical basis for various doctrines, as well as offer rebuttal responses from the perspective of a former Jehovah's Witness. I can also answer questions from the perspective of an ardent Jehovah's Witness.
Experience I am 33 years old, became a publisher and gave my first public talk at age 4, was baptized at age 12, became an inactive publisher at age 32, and disassociated myself at age 33. My father has served as a congregation servant/elder continuously from the age of 17 on. Of my 9 uncles, 6 are elders. Of my 9 aunts, four are regular pioneers. My father is the presiding overseer of a congregation. When I began seriously investigating this religion I had to prepare for conversations with a very large extended family steeped in the history and doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses. I have thoroughly studied many Watchtower Society publications that most Jehovah's Witnesses have never even read, if they have heard of them at all, seeking the origins of various doctrinal points. I knew I would need to have this knowledge to discuss the issues in detail with my family when I decided to disassociate myself.
Education/Credentials I read every Watchtower and Awake! magazine from at least age 8 through age 32. According to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society I have the equivalent of several four-year degrees (Reference available on request). I would hope that education would qualify me as an expert.
Question Do you think Archangel Michael is a total spiritual reflection of Jesus.Or would you say Arcangel Michael is a total different entity with its own personality which is different from the personality of Jesus ?
Thanks
Brian
Answer Brian,
Often when I am asked questions here I am uncertain whether the person asking wants the answer from the JW perspective, from a strictly Scriptural perspective, or from my perspective.
Given that you asked in the JW forum, I will assume you want the JW answer. Feel free to ask followup questions if my assumption is incorrect.
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Michael is Jesus in his role as Archangel. I will explain why they attach to Jesus this title of "Archangel" in a moment.
Michael makes his first appearance in Scripture in Daniel 10:12-21. He is referred to in the narrative of an angel who had to battle his way to Daniel to deliver a message. The angel refers to Michael as "one of the foremost", "one of the chief princes", or "one of the chief angels" depending on the translation you read. The message the angel battled to bring ends with the close of the book of Daniel in chapter 12.
Daniel 12:1,2 also refers to Michael. It says Michael, the prince or chief angel whom the angel earlier said was the only one standing for Daniel's people, will stand up in behalf of Daniel's people.
The next mention of Michael is in the book of Jude, verses 8-10, where Michael is described as disputing with the devil about the body of Moses. He is here identified as an archangel. I say "an archangel" because the angel that spoke to Daniel specified that Michael was one archangel, or chief angel, among other chief angels. This departs slightly from JW doctrine, but I feel it is an important point to mention.
Jehovah's Witnesses see this verse in Jude as stressing that Michael was THE archangel, i.e. the ONLY archangel. It is because of this interpretation that Jehovah's Witnesses are led to the conclusion that Michael is Jesus.
And IF THERE IS only one archangel their interpretation makes very good sense.
Revelation 12:7-10 shows Michael and HIS angels battling with the dragon and the dragon's angels and hurling the dragon down to the earth.
Matthew 24:29-31 is Jesus relating that the Son of Man (Jesus) will send forth HIS angels. (also Mark 13:27)
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 shows that the Lord himself will descend with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice, and with God's trumpet.
So, if there is only one archangel, Jesus is the archangel. If Michael is the archangel, Jesus is Michael.
That is the doctrine and how they arrived at it. I hope this answered your question satisfactorily, if not please follow up.
