This battle on Resurrection Sunday had a long history that preceded it. Before Lucifer sinned. Michael was the archangel, ruler over all angels. When one-third of the angels defected and joined Lucifer in rebellion against Christ, Satan became the self-appointed archangels over his followers. Thus the great controversy between Christ and Satan is actually a contest between two powerful archangels who were once best of friends. It is interesting to note that each time the name Michael is used in the Bible, it is used in the context of an angelic conflict between the devil and Jesus.

After examining the four texts in the Bible that refer to Michael, the evidence indicates that Michael is Jesus. But continue reading because there is better evidence still to come!

Michael, the Angel of the Lord, is Jehovah

Many people are surprised to learn in the Old Testament; Jesus is often identified as “the angel of the Lord.” Three excellent examples follow. Pay careful attention to who is speaking in each text. When Abraham was about to slay Isaac as a sacrifice, the Bible says, “But the angel of the Lord called out to him from Heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham…Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he said. The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from Heaven a second time and said…’I swear by myself, declares the Lord {Jehovah}, that because you have done this and not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on Earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.’” (Selections from Genesis 22:11-18, insertion mine.) Did you notice in these verses that “the angel of the Lord” is actually God, the Lord Jehovah?

The second example is even more illuminating. One day when Moses was tending his sheep, he noticed a bush blazing with flames of fire. “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within the bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses though, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight – why the bush does not burn up. ‘When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said ‘Here I am.’ Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’” (Exodus 3:2-6) Did you notice again that “the angel of the Lord” is actually God?

The third text removes all doubt. “The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, ‘I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their alters. Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare for you.’ When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, and they called that place Bokim. There they offered sacrifices to the Lord.” (Joshua 2:1-5) I have to ask again, who is “the angel of the Lord?” There is only one angel who is God, has the authority of God and speaks for God. His name is Michael. He is the archangel. He was with the Israelites day and night and provided for all their needs, including their food and water. Notice what Paul wrote, “They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4) After reviewing these verses, the mystery is easy to solve. The angel of the Lord is God. He is the Archangel and His name is Michael, which means “One who is like God.”

Michael/Jesus

When Michael was born to Mary, the Father gave Him an earthy name. The birth of Jesus was a profound miracle. Michael became Jesus. This transition says much about the role of the servant leader in God’s order because Jesus stooped even lower in the order of creation to become a man. Paul was overwhelmed with the submission of Jesus. He quotes a song by David (Psalm 8:4,5) saying, “What is man that you are mindful of him, {even} the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet…” “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:6,9) Jesus may appear to be a man – Michael may appear to be an angel – but He is none other than a member of the Godhead dwelling among His created beings. This may be hard to comprehend, but Jesus left Heaven to live among sinful men for the express purpose of revealing the marvelous ways and unfathomable love of the Godhead.

The Bible is dedicated to revealing the love that the Godhead has for man and understanding Jesus Christ is the only means through which this revelation can occur. In other words, the truth about God begins and ends with the Word, i.e., Jesus. No wonder He is called the Alpha and the Omega. At the end of sin’s drama, just before the wicked are destroyed, God will show everyone – including all fallen angels and all mankind – the fullness of all that Jesus really is. After Earth is purified, the King of kings and Lord of lords are going to do a very amazing thing. Paul says, “Then the end {of sin’s drama} will come, when he {Jesus} hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power…When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:24,28, insertion mine.) Can you believe this? After conquering sin and destroying evil, after receiving the Earth as an inheritance, after redeeming billions of saints, Jesus returns all that He has to the Father so He can live with humanity as one of them. What a servant leader!

Think about this. Michael/Jesus has the same power, authority and glory as the Father, but he humbled himself to live among angels as one of them. Then, when sin entered the universe He stooped even lower to live as a man. Even more, He was willing to be cursed and bear the shame of the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. (Hebrews 12:2) He was willing to perish for eternity if it meant that sinners could have the possibility of eternal life. To His glory, He succeeded in His rescue of humankind and was exalted to the highest position in the entire universe. Then, in one act of incomprehensible love, a victorious Jesus returns His crown and great possessions to the Father God so He may live among His people. The kingdom of God is all about serving others. Jesus said, “…Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whosoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28) “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

Closing thoughts

One of the saddest verses in the Bible is found in John 1:11. “He came to which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” Reflect for a moment how it must have been when Michael bent down on His knees to affectionately create Adam out of the soil of the Earth. (Genesis 2:7; Hebrews 1:1-3) Later, He personally spoke with Abraham, sharing with him God’s plans for a future nation dedicated to His purposes. He personally spoke with Moses and cancelled Pharaoh’s authority, delivering the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Tenderly, He watched over Israel, feeding then angel’s food – manna from Heaven. True to His word, He gave them the Promised Land and prosperity that peaked during the reign of David and Solomon. He sent Nebuchadnezzar to destroy His temple, but later sent Cyrus to free His people. After all He had done, His own people totally rejected and crucified Him. John says, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” The story of rejection, of course, does not end with the Jews. It continues among the Gentiles, even to the last generation. What have you done about Jesus Christ? Do you believe His words? Do you love Him and do you want to be part of the kingdom He represents? Have you accepted His authority as Lord of your life? Are you willing to reflect His character and be one of His representatives on Earth? Are you willing to do what He asks? Are you willing to become what He wants you to be? Are you willing to go where He commands? If your answer is, “Not right now, “then when will it be? If you surrender your life to Him, He will clothe you with His righteousness. Surrender is the first step toward Heaven. Think about it! All who surrender to the Son will have the privilege of embracing this most wonderful person who is fully God, who is the archangel, Michael and who is the man, Jesus!

Memory Verse: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” (John 1:11)

1.  Who is the angel of the Lord?

2.  Who did Michael identify with in Heaven?

3.  What happens in the Bible each time Michael/Jesus and Lucifer/ Satan come together?

4.  What happens at the end of time when Michael/Jesus has destroyed all authority and dominion on this earth?

5.  What does it mean to surrender a person’s life to Jesus Christ?

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