Jesus and Michael the Archangel

Scriptural evidence that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel

Who Is Michael?

Michael is described in the Bible as 'the great prince who stands in behalf of your people.' (Daniel 12:1) The name Michael means 'Who Is Like God?' — a fitting name for one who champions Jehovah's sovereignty. Jude 9 calls him 'the archangel Michael,' and 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says that at the resurrection, 'the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice.'

Since only one archangel is mentioned in Scripture, and the resurrected Jesus descends with an archangel's voice, this strongly implies Jesus is that archangel.

  • Daniel 12:1: Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of your people.
  • Jude 9: But when Michael the archangel had a dispute with the Devil and was arguing about Moses' body, he did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16: The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice.

Connecting Jesus to Michael

In Revelation, it is Jesus who wages war against Satan: 'Michael and his angels battled with the dragon… the great dragon was hurled down, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan.' (Revelation 12:7-9) Jesus is described elsewhere in Revelation as the conquering rider on a white horse, the King of kings who defeats the nations. The leader of God's angelic armies in both passages is the same person — Jesus Christ, known in his heavenly role as Michael.

Before his human birth, Jesus existed in heaven as a mighty spirit creature — the 'firstborn of all creation' (Colossians 1:15). His pre-human name was Michael. After his resurrection, Philippians 2:9 says God gave him 'the name that is above every other name' — Jesus Christ — exalted to the highest position.

  • Revelation 12:7-9: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon… the great dragon was hurled down.
  • Colossians 1:15-16: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all other things were created.
  • Philippians 2:9: God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name.

Keep Studying with JW Study

JW Study is a free Bible reading tracker for Jehovah's Witnesses. Read Jesus and Michael the Archangel in the New World Translation, take personal study notes, and build a consistent reading habit. For deeper research, use the Insight on the Scriptures volumes and publications available at wol.jw.org alongside JW Library.

Other Study Topics

  • Is Jesus God? — Understanding Jesus' identity as the Son of God — distinct from Jehovah
  • Holy Spirit — Person or Force? — The Bible shows the holy spirit is God's active force, not a third person
  • Holy Spirit Is Not a Person — Key Verses — Scriptural proof that the holy spirit is God's active force, not a person
  • The Trinity Is Not Biblical — Key Verses — Scripture consistently distinguishes the Father from the Son — the Trinity doctrine has no Bible basis
  • The Angel of the Lord Is Michael — Key Verses — Scriptural evidence connecting the angel of Jehovah, Michael the archangel, and Jesus Christ
  • What Is the Soul? — The Bible defines the soul as a living being — not an immortal inner entity
  • What Happens When We Die? — Death is a state of unconscious sleep — not heaven, hell, or purgatory
  • God's Kingdom — What Is It? — A real government in heaven that will rule over a paradise earth
  • Why Does God Allow Suffering? — Understanding the issue of universal sovereignty and why Jehovah permits evil for now
  • The Sanctity of Blood — Why Jehovah commands us to abstain from blood — and what this means today

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