I recently got given a copy of the Jehovah's Witness book "What Does the Bible Really Teach?"
This is the book that JWs use to "study" with potential new members.
As I looked at it I found that at the rear of the book, there is an appendix that lists a number of different topics (mainly concerning some of the JWs more unique beliefs).
One of these topics asks "Who Is Michael the Archangel?" on page 218.
In trying to prove that Jesus is Michael, the book states that the word Archangel means "chief angel" and it says this suggests that there is only one such angel. But does that really mean this?
After all, someone maybe the chief coach of a football team. Does this mean that there is only one chief coach. No, of course not.
Another football team might have a chief coach.
Just because there isn't another angel referred to as a Archangel in the Bible doesn't mean that there aren't other Archangel's.
This is just arguing from silence (a tactic the Watch Tower Society loves to use).
They mention that Jesus is linked with the office of archangel when the book says:
The Society tries to reinforce this point by saying: "This scripture therefore suggests that Jesus himself is the archangel Michael." But does it?
Firstly, the Society does it normal trick of half quoting some of the scriptures that it uses.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 does not end with the word Archangel but continues with a comma (not a full stop like the Society ends it) "and with the trumpet of God"
Does this mean that Jesus is also a trumpet? I don't think so.
Also since he is coming with the trumpet of God, surely "this scripture therefore suggests that Jesus himself is God.
Isn't it strange how JW logic doesn't continue this far into the verse. I wonder why?
Secondly, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 even suggests that there is more than one Archangel.
Surely if there was only one Archangel like the JWs like to claim it would have read "...with the voice of the Archangel, rather than the phrase "an archangel"
Army Leader
On page 219 the article continues with the title "Army Leader"
The point the Society is trying to make here is that Michael in Revelation 12:7 "is the leader of an army of faithful angels."
It then compares this with Revelation 19:14-16 where Jesus is described as the Leader of an army of angels.
Then comes their logic again when the book continues:
So the Bible speaks of both Michael and “his angels” and Jesus and “his angels.” (Matthew 13:41) Since God’s Word nowhere indicates that there are two armies of faithful angels in heaven—one headed by Michael and one headed by Jesus—it is logical to conclude that Michael is none other than Jesus Christ in his heavenly role.
Can we draw this conclusion?
Sorry Mr/Mrs JW I'm afraid not.
Revelation 19:14 says: "Also, the armies that were in heaven..." Do you notice the problem for the JW?
This verse states that there are armies (plural).
Surely if there was just one army of angels led by Jesus/Michael it would have read: "Also, the army that was in heaven..."
The fact that the Watch Tower Society tries to make this claim is laughable.
It is so desperate to shoehorn this Jesus/Michael belief into the Bible that they will try anything to prove it.
But anyway let us, just for a moment, go along with the JW argument.
My question is "Is Jehovah ever mentioned as leading an army?"
What do you think the term "Lord of Hosts" means?
It gets even worse for the JWs if you read their own bible. One of a number of verses that mention this title is 1 Samuel 17:45 says:
In turn David said to the Phi‧lis′tine: “You are coming to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I am coming to you with the name of Jehovah of armies, (emphasis added)
So surely, if there is only one army in heaven, according to the Witnesses, it is being led by Jehovah. Therefore by using the same Watchtower logic Jesus must be Jehovah*.
*When somebody uses the name Jehovah, most JWs will interpret this as us saying Father. However, this is not so. Please understand Mr/Mrs Witness that when we as Christians use the Name Jehovah we are saying God. We do not believe that Jesus is the Father or Jesus is the Holy Spirit. But we do believe Jesus is God, the Father is God and the Holy Spirit is God.
3 Replies to “Is Jesus Michael? – What does the Bible Really Teach?”
Perfect!!! Just Perfect!!!! Kindly check out my blog http://jesusnotmichael.blogspot.com for a detailed refutation to their conjectures.
Good job Paul .
This Watchtower book you reference — ” What Does The Bible Really Teach ?” simply is yet another attempt by the Watchtower to showcase it’s excellence as a guide in understanding important Bible doctrines . It fails yet again . The Watchtower simply can’t be trusted to be a consistently reliable guide , and it’s teaching track record proves that .
The claim for the Watchtower magazine : ” Since 1879 it has been published regularly for the benefit of sincere students of the Bible . Over that extended period of time The Watchtower has consistently proven itself dependable .” [ NWT , 1950 ed p 793 ] .
and : ” No human creature is entitled to any credit for what appears in The Watchtower. All honor and credit is due to the Lord .Jehovah God and Christ Jesus are out teachers , and every one who reads the The Watchtower rejoices in the fact that the Lord is pleased to use that magazine to aid His people in understanding the truth .” [ 1936 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses , p 63 ].
So let’s briefly test this claim .
Concerning it’s teachings about Michael the Watchtower once taught as ” Bible based ” truth that Jesus was NOT Michael [ W.T. 11-1-1879 p. 48 ] .
For years the Watchtower book , The Finished Mystery , was used to teach people the correct interpretation of the book of Revelation . At Rev.12:7 the Watchtower taught that the identity of Michael in this verse was the Pope ! [ p 188 ] .
This is but a small example of why the Watchtower cannot be trusted as a reliable guide to understanding the scriptures about Michael , and especially Jesus .
In the appendix of the Watchtower book , “What Does The Bible Really Teach ” there is an attempt to prove that Jesus is the spirit creature Michael the archangel ( pages 218-219 ) . What’s interesting is that though the Watchtower states that the book of Daniel mentions Michael , it does not quote Daniel 10:13 . Daniel 10:13 is a crucial verse to understanding who Michael is — he is “one of the chief princes” i.e there is more than one archangel in God’s heavenly host . Archangels can be likened to generals , those spirit creatures who are in rank above others and who have been given important roles by God . Michael is one such angel , but he is the only one mentioned by name in the Bible .
The Watchtower teaches that Michael is the only archangel [ Appendix p 218 ] . However , this is yet another example of Watchtower confusion as a Bible teacher because for years it taught that there are ” archangels ” in heaven [ W.t. Dec. 1882, p. 3 ; also the book Creation 1927 ,p 19,23 ] .
Jw’s have long been tossed to and fro by the unstable teachings from the Watchtower .See Eph 4:14 .
The fact of the matter is that Jesus is not the spirit creature Michael . Jesus is more special and unique than him . All angels , Michael included , properly worship Jesus Christ — Heb 1:6 . Jesus is worthy of our worship as well .
May Jw’s come to understand God’s new arrangement for gaining His approval for receiving life everlasting — it centers in Jesus . Coming directly to Jesus and asking him for pardon of sins is how to gain the Father’s acceptance and salvation — Matt . 11:28 ; Mk 2:10 . It’s through Jesus , through personal contact with the living Savior Jesus , that is the “way”
to a right relationship with the Father — Jn 14:6 . Paul prayed to Jesus for this , may Jw’s do so also — Acts 22:16 . A personal relationship / fellowship with both Jesus and the Father lies at the heart of the Christian life — 1 Cor 1:9 .
Great review Paul . Thanks .