The Bible speaks of a Being named Michael who is the primary leader in the war against Satan and who is crucial for God’s people in the last period of earth’s history in verses like these:
“Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels.” Revelation 12:7 (NLT)
“There is no one with me who contends against these princes except Michael,
your prince.” Daniel 10:20
“At that time Michael, the archangel; who stands guard over your nation,
will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations
first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name
is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie
dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and
everlasting disgrace. Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky,
and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.” Daniel
12:1-3
Like many protestant theologians for centuries, SDAs have considered this Being to be Jesus for many biblical and logical reasons. It’s not a major fundamental belief for SDAs since this concept is not mentioned in the Bible very much. But it is another of God’s truths that is beneficial for us to know.
Some SDA critics who are uninformed about Protestant history though make claims that SDAs are a cult due to the doctrine of Michael being God. For example:
“problematic doctrines in Seventh-day Adventism include [identifying] Jesus as Michael the archangel-a doctrine that denies the true nature of Christ.” Dean
But this is a claim that does not understand the Bible or logic and it is also a straw man fallacy. Why? Because many Bible verses logically support this doctrine for about 10 reasons, many Protestant theologians throughout history have believed Michael is God (and that God is at times referred to as an archangel or “Angel of the Lord” in the Bible) and SDAs official beliefs have always considered Jesus to be fully God.
The main reasons why the critics arguments fail briefly are these.
A) Jesus has about 50 names in the Bible that describe various aspects of His incredible love, mercy, but also concern for justice and equality for all human beings. This is a brilliant video on most of them.
Eric Ludy – He is (The Names of God)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NscHCa395-M
Some of these names have literal aspects, some are metaphorical, but all point to incredible and often life saving aspects of our Creator and Saviour Jesus: He IS the great “I AM”. He IS our Creator. He IS the promised Messiah. He IS Immanuel, God with us. He IS the Prince of Peace. He IS the Just One. He IS Lion of Judah. He IS the Rose of Sharon. He IS the Morning Star. He IS the Son of Man. He IS the Lamb of God. And most importantly, He IS our Redeemer, and Saviour. These are just a few of the names that describe the perfection of Jesus that He wants us to aim for (Matt. 5:48) so that we can have more and more freedom from the slavery of sin (Romans 6:16-19). See most of Jesus’ names in scripture here:
https://bibleresources.org/names-of-jesus/
But we do not believe that because Jesus has a title with man, that he is only a man. He is also God. We do not believe that because He has a title of Lamb that he is a literal sheep, or that the title of rose makes him a plant. These do not exclude Him from being God. Similarly, believing that Jesus is Michael does not in any way exclude Him from also being God, which again SDAs, fully believe.
Similarly, many protestant theologians and pastors agree that in certain cases terms like “The Angel of the Lord” can refer to God. Angels can be God
Billy Graham, claimed that: “Some places in the Old Testament tell us that the Second Person of the Trinity appeared and was called either ‘the Lord’ or ‘the angel of the Lord’…We must remember, then, that in some cases in the Old Testament God Himself appeared in human form as an angel…”
Billy Graham, Angels: God’s Secret Agents, (Doubleday), p. 33
See also:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/theologically-driven/who-is-the-angel-of-the-lord-in-the-old-testament.html
http://www.pickle-publishing.com/papers/angel-yahweh.htm
B) There are at least 10 biblical reasons supported by various Bible verses that
support the view that Michael is God just as much as they do the trinity. The term
“trinity” is never mentioned in the Bible, but when you use simple logic, similar
to A=B & B=C, so A=C, it’s the best explanation of the facts. Why? Jesus is
called God, the Father is called God and the Holy Spirit is called God, so all
are divine beings. The definition of the trinity is 3 divine beings. Similarly,
the traits of God are repeatedly attributed to Michael as you will see below.
So logically He must be God (the other alternative is that the Bible is
teaching blasphemy which no Christian should consider).
C) Many leading protestant theologians throughout history have agreed with the logical
biblical arguments that Michael is God. SDAs aren’t
unique in this. Many leading protestant reformers, scholars and even Jewish
authors believe that Michael=Christ=Jesus. Some protestant reformers who
believed this are Martin Luther, Melancthon, John Wesley, John Calvin, Isaac
Watts, John Bunyan, and most early protestant scholars. Some theologians and
commentary authors who believed this are Charles Spurgeon, John Gill, Matthew
Henry, Adam Clark, Geneva Study Bible, Wycliffe Bible Commentary etc. And
before them Jewish commentators like Wetstein, Surenhusius, etc. did too.)
“The earlier Protestant scholars usually identified Michael with the
preincarnate Christ, finding support for their view, not only in the
juxtaposition of the “child” and the archangel in Re 12:1-17, but
also in the attributes ascribed to him in Daniel (for a full discussion see
Hengstenberg, Offenbarung, I, 611-22, and an interesting survey in English by
Dr. Douglas in Fairbairn’s BD).
https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/M/michael.html
John A. Lees, “Michael” in James Orr (editor), The International
Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Eerdmans 1939)”.
Internationalstandardbible.com. 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
D) SDA official beliefs are clear that Jesus is the “I AM” of both the OT and
the NT (John 8:58), is fully God in every way (John 10:30-33). This is the official
statement of SDAs about Jesus.
The Son
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9-18; 8:1, 2.)
https://www.southern.edu/about/beliefs.html
https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/theology-jesus-christ/michael-another-name-jesus
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TOP 10 BIBLICAL REASONS WHY PROTESTANT/SDA THEOLOGIANS THINK MICHAEL IS JESUS
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What does Michael mean? It is from the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha’el) meaning “who is like God?” What a fitting name for Jesus. Who can compare to His perfect character? No human comes anywhere close. But here are many other reasons why Michael should be considered Jesus and fully God in the Bible.
EVIDENCE #1—MICHAEL IS THE COMMANDER OF THE ANGELS
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The Bible speaks about a war in heaven. Michael is the leader of God’s side and
the dragon Satan is the leader of the rebel side.
“Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the
dragon and his angels.” Revelation 12:7 (NLT)
Michael is the leader of the angelic hosts and armies of heaven. He is their commander.
So who is the commander of the angels according to the Bible?
EVIDENCE #2—THE COMMANDER OF HEAVEN’S ARMIES IS LORD/GOD
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Several Bible verses speak about the commander of the armies of the Lord. Here
is one.
“Joshua…looked up and saw a man standing before him with a drawn sword in
his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you one of us, or one of our
adversaries?” He replied, “Neither; but as commander of the army of the Lord I
have now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped,” Joshua
5:13-15
EVIDENCE #3— THE COMMANDER OF HEAVEN’S ARMIES ACCEPTS WORSHIP
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The commander of the army of the Lord here accepts worship.
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped,” Joshua 5:14
EVIDENCE #4—ONLY GOD ACCEPTS WORSHIP/ANGEL’S DON’T
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Only God accepts worship. Angels don’t.
“I, John,…fell down to worship at
the feet of the angel who showed them to me; but he said to me, “You must not
do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades the prophets, and
with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” Revelation 22:8,9
So this commander must be God.
EVIDENCE #5—GOD TELLS PEOPLE TO TAKE OFF SANDALS
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Another evidence that he is God is that He asks Joshua to remove his sandals.
“The commander of the army of the Lord said to Joshua, “Remove the sandals from
your feet, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.”
Joshua 5:15
Who asks people to remove sandals because the place they stand is holy? Only God.
4 God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” [and] he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 He said further, “I am the God of your 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 at God. Exodus 3:4-5 (see also: Isaiah 20:2, Acts 7:33)
So, because Michael is the commander of the
angels, accepts worship, and tells people to remove sandals from their feet, Michael=God.
EVIDENCE #6—MICHAEL=PRINCE OF HEAVEN=MESSIAH
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“Now I must return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I am through with him, the prince of Greece will come. But I am to tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth. There is no one with me who contends against these princes except Michael, your prince. ” Daniel 10:20 (NRSV)
Who is the prince of heaven?
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on
his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
The Messiah is Prince.
“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the
commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall
be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again,
and the wall, even in troublous times.” Dan 9:25
No one else is every called a prince in heaven. And who would be stronger than
Gabriel and give Him help? Only God would be stronger. This indicates that
Michael is Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
EVIDENCE #7—MICHAEL, THE ARCHANGEL RESSURECTS
PEOPLE
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“At that time Michael, the archangel
[Hebrew=great prince] who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then
there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into
existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in
the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will
rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting
disgrace.” Daniel 12:1-2
There are several interesting points about this.
1) Only a couple Bible verses use the word “archangel”. In one it is in
association with the resurrection and God shouting to raise the dead.
“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.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
There were two possible meanings to this verse:
(1) the archangel could be shouting for Jesus; or
(2) Jesus could be doing the shouting Himself as Michael the Archangel.
Which one is it? John 5:25 and 28 gives us the
answer:
“the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God”. “all that are
in the graves shall hear his voice”.
So in 1 Thessalonians the voice of the archangel raises the dead. In John 5, the voice of the Son of God raises the dead! Both texts have to be correct. So Michael the Archangel must be Jesus!
The Hebrew also seems to indicate that the shout and the voice of the archangel are one and the same . So, Jesus is the one who shouts with the voice of the archangel, or “greatest messenger,” to raise the dead!
2) This text is clearly speaking of the time of Jesus 2nd coming and the time of trouble that just precedes it. Michael arises at that time and the resurrection happens. This seems a pretty strong indication that Michael is in charge of the resurrection and so equal to Jesus who delivers His people, those listed in the Lamb’s book of life and resurrects those that sleep in the dust to everlasting life.
“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” Acts 3:14-5
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:30-1
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Rev 1:5
EVIDENCE #8—MICHAEL REBUKES THE DEVIL
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“But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued
about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment,
but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Jude 9″
A) The phrase “The Lord rebuke you.” is only uttered BY God in scripture:
“And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this man a brand plucked from the fire?” Zechariah 3:2
B) Saying “The Lord rebuke you” in scripture is calling on one’s own authority as God as is the case in the above verse.
So, Jude 9 is another evidence that Michael is God.
EVIDENCE #9—MICHAEL RESURRECTS MOSES
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“But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued
about the body of Moses” Jude 9
“As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became
dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then
Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.” Mark 9:4-5 (NLT)
EVIDENCE #10—PEOPLE HAVE SEEN JESUS, BUT NOT THE FATHER
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People have seen Michael, Messiah the Prince, Jesus, but not the Father.
“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the
commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall
be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again,
and the wall, even in troublous times.” Dan 9:25
“No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to
the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.” John 1:18 NLT
“No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God. He has seen the
Father.” John 6:46 CEB
Ellen White tells us that the big war in heaven was between Jesus and Satan who
was jealous of Him. This was the war that began in heaven and continues today.
A war for each heart and mind. And each of us need Michael, Heaven’s Prince,
The Messiah, the commander of Angels, our Saviour and our God, Jesus, on our
side.
3) Doug Bachelor comments: Michael is mentioned more in Daniel than in any other book in Scripture. (See Daniel 10:13; 10:21; 12:1.) In all three references, He is called a prince—your prince and the great prince… There is another verse in Daniel 8:25 where the “Prince of princes” is mentioned. Again, the cosmic conflict is being played out with Christ on one side and the devil on the other, with humanity serving as the battlefield. “Prince of princes” is actually the same term that is translated “prince of the host” in verse 11. This is similar to “Lord of lords” (Psalm 136:3), “God of gods” (Deuteronomy 10:17), and “King of kings” (Revelation 19:16). All these are titles of deity. He is even referred to as “Messiah the Prince” (Daniel 9:25). Who is this being that the angels call the Great Prince? These verses clearly echo with three verses in Daniel in which Michael is called a “prince.”
http://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/85/t/who-is-michael-the-archangel.aspx
This link above has more evidence from the Bible on why it’s very logical and rational to believe that Michael is God.
To conclude, Jesus, who is also called Michael is the primary divine agent who leads the war against Satan throughout the Bible. It is helpful to know that Michael is this Leader, but most important to know that Jesus is the one who promises repeatedly to guard us in this time of persecution when the Bible says there will be more difficult times than ever before in history.
“At that time Michael, the archangel; who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.” Daniel 12:1-2
Keep learning about all the names of our wonderful Saviour. Each points to an aspect of His love for us. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the Prince of Life. He is the Faithful Witness. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the Lawgiver. He is the Shiloh. He is the He is the Light of the World. He is the Horn of Salvation. He is the Head of the Church. He is the Mighty God. Trust Him with your life now and for eternity!
Again, you can see more names here.
https://bibleresources.org/names-of-jesus/
FURTHER LINKS FOR MORE STUDY:
http://biblelight.net/michael.htm
http://www.creation-science-prophecy.com/michael.htm
http://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/85/t/who-is-michael-the-archangel.aspx
http://www.creation-science-prophecy.com/michael.htm