Who Is Michael the Archangel?

3 min read

One of the foundational teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the belief that Jesus Christ is Michael the Archangel—a created being, not equal to God. This doctrine is used to deny the full divinity of Christ. But is it true? Is there biblical support for identifying Jesus as Michael? And what did the early Christians believe?

Let’s explore what Scripture actually says.

Who Is Michael According to the Bible?

The Bible mentions Michael the Archangel a handful of times:

  • Daniel 10:13, 21 refers to Michael as “one of the chief princes” and “your prince” who helps the angelic messenger in a spiritual battle.

  • Daniel 12:1 says that Michael will arise during a time of great distress.

  • Jude 1:9 mentions Michael disputing with the devil over the body of Moses, calling him “the archangel.”

  • Revelation 12:7 shows Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon (Satan) and casting him out of heaven.

In all of these passages, Michael is portrayed as a powerful angelic being engaged in spiritual warfare. He is called a “chief prince,” not the only prince or a divine being. Importantly, nowhere does the Bible equate Michael with Jesus.

Who Is Jesus According to the Bible?

In sharp contrast, Jesus is described in profoundly different terms:

  • Jesus is the Creator of all things (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16).

  • Jesus is called God (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:8; Titus 2:13).

  • Jesus is worshiped (Matthew 2:11; John 20:28; Revelation 5:12–14).

  • Jesus is eternal (Micah 5:2; John 8:58).

  • Jesus has authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5–7).

Hebrews 1 makes a powerful distinction between Jesus and the angels:

“To which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son’? … Let all God’s angels worship him.” (Hebrews 1:5–6)

“He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire. But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever.’” (Hebrews 1:7–8)

This passage explicitly contrasts angels (including Michael) with Jesus, showing that He is far superior—He is the divine Son who is to be worshiped.

If Jesus were Michael, this entire comparison would fall apart. The writer of Hebrews goes out of his way to show that Jesus is not an angel.

What About Revelation 12?

Jehovah’s Witnesses often point to Revelation 12, where Michael leads the heavenly army against Satan. But there’s no reason to believe this is Jesus in disguise. Revelation is filled with symbolic imagery. Just as Satan is portrayed as a dragon, the faithful are depicted as a woman, and the church as lampstands—Michael here is portrayed as the leader of angelic forces. But symbolic leadership in battle is not proof of identity.

In fact, if Revelation wanted to show Jesus leading the battle, it could have simply named Him—Jesus is clearly identified in other symbolic scenes (e.g., Revelation 5:5–6 as the Lamb). Michael and Jesus appear as separate figures throughout Scripture.

What Did Early Christians Believe?

Early Christians never taught that Jesus was Michael. This idea only appeared in the 19th century, first among some Adventist groups and later solidified in Watchtower theology.

Church fathers like Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus spoke of Jesus as fully divine—not a high-ranking angel. They worshiped Jesus, prayed to Him, and honored Him as God.

The teaching that Jesus is Michael is not rooted in the Bible or early Christianity—it is a modern invention used to strip Jesus of His divine nature.

Why This Matters

Getting Jesus wrong means getting salvation wrong. If Jesus is not God, He cannot be the Savior. Only God can bear the full weight of our sin, conquer death, and give us eternal life.

Michael the Archangel may be a mighty servant of God—but Jesus is the Son of God, the eternal Word made flesh, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Don’t let modern teachings lead you away from the Jesus revealed in Scripture.

In Summary:

  • Michael is an archangel—a chief prince among angels.

  • Jesus is the eternal Son of God, Creator, and worthy of worship.

  • The Bible never equates Jesus with Michael.

  • Hebrews 1 explicitly says Jesus is not an angel.

  • Early Christians believed in Jesus’ full divinity, not angelic status.

The identity of Jesus is central to our faith. He is not an angel. He is God in the flesh—the only Savior.

Behind The Tower