Who Is Michael The Archangel? Part 5 continued

[WalterandDebbie]

11-7-22

Continued from Part 5

“Chief Archangel” The same Bible Commentary, on the book of Daniel, is also most interesting. The angel Gabriel relates to Daniel that when the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood opposing him, Michael came to help him (Dan.11:13). Adam Clarke continues: “But lo Michael] Gabriel, who speaks, did not leave Cyrus till Michael came to take his place. Michael, he who is like God, sometimes appears to signify the Messiah, at other times the highest or chief archangel. Indeed, there is no archangel mentioned in the whole Scripture but this one” (vol.2, page 606). 269 Even Adam Clarke, a believer in the Trinity, recognized that Michael seems to refer to the Messiah. If he had understood that Christ Himself was originally a created Archangel, then he would have understood fully the identity of this mysterious personage! In II Enoch, the patriarch says, “And Michael, the LORD’s greatest archangel, lifted me up . . .” (II Enoch 22:6).

“Stand Up” – “Arise!” Michael was considered the Guardian of the Jewish or Israelite people. As such, Daniel 12:1 says he will “STAND UP” when a time of great trouble comes upon the people of Israel, during the time of the End! Question: Who is going to “STAND UP” when Israel is threatened to be devoured by all her enemies? Who will Israel call upon? Answer: “But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:2-3). “RISE UP, O LORD! Let Your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate You flee before You” (Numbers 10:35). “Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; RISE UP for me to the judgment You have commanded” (Psalm 7:6).

“Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble” (Psalm 10:12). “Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? ARISE! Do not cast us off forever” (Psalm 44:23). “Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations” (Psalm 82:8). It is Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah, who will rise up to SAVE His people, in the coming day of travail and trouble! He is the true Guardian of Israel – their Protector and Deliverer! “Behold, the day of the LORD is coming . . . For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. . . . Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He FIGHTS 270 in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives” (Zech.14:1-4). “Thus the LORD my God will come, and all the saints with You” (verse 5). “I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! . . .

The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is His name” (Exo.15:1-3). “The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies” (Isaiah 42:13). Michael leads the angels of God IN BATTLE against the Devil (Rev.12:7). He defeats him in a mighty heavenly conflict. But who else can defeat the Devil but the Christ of God? Notice! It is the LORD Yeshua who is the HEAD or CAPTAIN of the armies of the LORD! It is He who will lead His armies to battle in the End Time, as He returns from heaven to punish the wicked and ungodly, and to deliver His people from death, captivity, and the sword. The apostle John declares: “Now I saw heaven opened, and, behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteous- ness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And THE ARMIES IN HEAVEN, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev.19:11-15).

It is only reasonable to conclude that the mighty Warrior, Christ, who leads the angelic armies to fight the nations at His return, is also the same individual who fought the devil and his angels in the heavenly, cosmic conflict, and defeated them! 271 Therefore, Michael and Christ must be one and the same! There cannot be two captains of the hosts of the LORD! There cannot be TWO commanders of the heavenly hosts of God! Only Christ is also named Yahveh-Sabaoth – “the LORD of Armies” or “Hosts”! (I Sam.1:3, et al.).

Love, Walter and Debbie

 

[WalterandDebbie]

11-7-22

The conclusion from Part 5 Who Is Michael The Archangel?

Only ONE Qualified Intercessor

According to Jewish lore, Michael is the intercessor for the Jewish people, and Israel. Says the “Testament of Dan,” speaking of Michael: “And now fear the Lord, my children, be on guard against Satan and his spirits. Draw near to God and to the angel who intercedes for you, because he is the MEDIATOR between God and men for the peace of Israel. He shall stand in OPPOSITION to the kingdom of the enemy. “. . . This angel of PEACE will strengthen Israel so that it will not succumb to an evil destiny” (Testament of the Patriarchs, Dan 6-1-5). This angel says to the patriarch Levi, “I am the angel who makes intercession for the nation Israel, that they might not be beaten” (Testament of Levi, 5:6).

This angel is linked to the archangel Michael. In I Enoch we read, “Michael, one of the holy angels, for (he is) obedient in his benevolence over the people and the nations” (I Enoch 20:5). In the book of Jubilees, in the Old Testament Pseudopigrapha, volume 2, Michael is called “the angel of the presence” (Jub.1:27), “And the angel of the presence, who went before the camp of Israel” (1:29). But if Michael is the intercessor for Israel, the people of God, then what do we do with the testimony of Peter and Paul? Peter declared of Jesus Christ, “Nor is there salvation [deliverance] in any other, for there is NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN given among men by which we must be saved [delivered]” (Acts 4:12).

As Paul wrote, “For there is one God and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (I Timothy 2:5-6). 272 There can be only ONE intercessor! And Paul made it clear who that intercessor is, when he wrote: “But He [Christ], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through HIM, since He always lives to make INTERCESSION for them. For such a high priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless [innocent], undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens” (Heb.7:24-26). Christ is the true intercessor, and mediator, for man before God the Father, as it is He who died to pay the price for our sins and transgressions – who gave His life for us! And now He is our “High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Heb.8:1).

“He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. . . . For Christ has not entered the holy place made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Heb.9:24). Therefore, Christ Jesus and Michael must be ONE AND THE SAME INDIVIDUAL, under two different names! Michael, the Guardian and Intercessor for God’s people, is another name of Jesus Christ, Yeshua, the only true Guardian, Intercessor and Mediator for God’s people! As the Scriptures show, Christ has MANY names and wears many crowns and diadems (Rev.19:12, 13, 16). God’s Wonderful Revelation How exciting – how wonderful – how clear the truth of God really is, when He reveals it to us!

The Plan and Purpose of God is way past man’s imaginings – way beyond his uttermost thoughts and ideas! As Paul exclaimed, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it should be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Rom.11:33-36). “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (I Cor.2:9-10).

Love, Walter and Debbie

 

[The Learner]

Found quote by Calvin in context,

"He adds next, Behold! Michael, one of the chief leaders or princes, came to strengthen me Some think the word Michael represents Christ, and I do not object to this opinion. Clearly enough, if all angels keep watch over the faithful and elect, still Christ holds the first rank among them, because he is their head, and uses their ministry and assistance to defend all his people. But as this is not generally admitted, I leave it in doubt for the present, and shall say more on the subject in the twelfth chapter. From this passage we may clearly deduce the following conclusion, — angels contend for the Church of God both generally and for single members, just as their help may be needed. This we know to be a part of the occupation of angels, who protect the faithful according to Psalm 34 (Psalm 34:8.) They fix their camp in a circuit round them. God, therefore, plants his angels against all the endeavors of Satan, and all the fury of the impious who desire to destroy us, and are ever plotting for our complete ruin. If God were not to protect us in this way, we should be utterly undone. We are aware of Satan’s horrible hatred to us, and of the mighty fury with which he assails us; we know how skillfully and variously he contrives his artifices; we know him as the prince of this world, dragging and hurrying the greater part of mankind along with him, while they impiously pour forth their threats against us. What prevents Satan from daily absorbing a hundred times over the whole Church both collectively and individually? It clearly becomes necessary for God to oppose his fury, and this he does by angels. While they are contending for us and for our safety, we do not perceive this hidden malice, because they conceal it from us." John Calvin: Commentary on Daniel - Volume 2 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library

 

[The Learner]

The angel no longer relates future occurrences specially, but proclaims
God to be in general the guardian of his Church, so as to preserve it
wonderfully amidst many difficulties and dreadful commotion's, as well
as in the profound darkness of disaster and death. This is the meaning
of this sentence. This verse consists of two parts: the first relates
to that most wretched period which should be full of various and almost
numberless calamities; and the second assures us of God's never-failing
protection and preservation of his Church by his own innate power. In
this second part the promise is restricted to the elect, and thus a
third clause may be distinguished, but it is only an addition to the
second just mentioned. At the close of the verse, the angel presents us
with a definition of the Church, as many professed to be God's people
who were not really so. He says, Michael, the prince of the people,
should stand up Then he states the reason, The calamities of that
period should be such as were never witnessed from the beginning of the
world As he addresses Daniel, he says, sons of thy people; for he was
one of the sons of Abraham, and the nation from which Daniel sprang was
in that sense "his." From this it follows that the calamities of which
he will by and bye treat, belong to the true Church, and not to the
profane nations. The singular aid of Michael would not have been
needed, unless the Church had been oppressed with the most disastrous
distresses. We perceive, then, the angel's meaning to be according to
my explanation. The Church should be subject to most numerous and
grievous calamities until the advent of Christ, but yet it should feel
God's propitious disposition, ensuring its own safety under his aid and
protection. By Michael many agree in understanding Christ as the head
of the Church. But if it seems better to understand Michael as the
archangel, this sense will prove suitable, for under Christ as the
head, angels are the guardians of the Church. Whichever be the true
meaning, God was the preserver of his Church by the hand of his
only-begotten Son, and because the angels are under the government of
Christ, he might entrust this duty to Michael. That foul hypocrite,
Servetus, has dared to appropriate this passage to himself; for he has
inscribed it as a frontispiece on his horrible comments, because he was
called Michael! We observe what diabolic fury has seized him, as he
dared to claim as his own what is here said of the singular aid
afforded by Christ; to his Church. He was a man of the most impure
feelings, as we have already sufficiently made known. But this was a
proof of his impudence and sacrilegious madness -- to adorn himself
with this epithet of Christ without, blushing, and to elevate himself
into Christ's place, by boasting himself to be Michael, the guardian of
the Church, and the mighty prince of the people! This fact is well
known, for I have the book at hand should any one distrust my word.

https://www.ccel.org/ccel/c/calvin/calcom25/cache/calcom25.txt

 

[The Learner]

Lecture Sixty-Five.

The twelfth chapter commenced, as we stated in yesterday's Lecture,
with the angel's prediction as to the future state of the Church after
the manifestation of Christ It was to be subject to many miseries, and
hence this passage would soothe the sorrow of Daniel, and of all the
pious, as he still promises safety to the Church through the help of
God. Daniel therefore represented Michael as the guardian of the
Church, and God had enjoined this duty upon Christ, as we learn from
the 10th chapter of John, (John 10:28, 29.) As we stated yesterday,
Michael may mean an angel; but I embrace the opinion of those who refer
this to the person of Christ, because it suits the subject best to
represent him as standing forward for the defense of his elect people.
He is called the mighty prince, because he naturally opposed the
unconquered fortitude of God to those dangers to which the angel
represents the Church to be subject. We well know the very slight
causes for which terror often seizes our minds, and when we begin to
tremble, nothing can calm our tumult and agitation. The angel then in
treating of very grievous contests, and of the imminent danger of the
Church, calls Michael the mighty prince As if he had said, Michael
should be the guardian and protector of the elect people, he should
exercise immense power, and he alone without the slightest doubt should
be sufficient for their protection. Christ confirms the same assertion,
as we just; now saw, in the 10th chapter of John. He says all his elect
were given him by his father, and none of them should perish, because
his father was greater than all; no one, says he, shall pluck my sheep
out of my hand. My father, who gave them me, is greater than all;
meaning, God possesses infinite power, and displays it for the safety
of those whom he has chosen before the creation of the world, and he
has committed it to me, or has deposited it in my hands. We now
perceive the reason of this epithet, which designates Michael as the
great prince For in consequence of the magnitude of the contest, we
ought to enjoy the offer of insuperable strength, to enable us to
attain tranquillity in the midst of the greatest commotions. It was in

 

[The Learner]

no degree superfluous for the angel to predict such great calamities as
impending over the Church, and in the present day the, same expressions
are most useful to us. We perceive then how the Jews imagined a state
of happiness under Christ, and the same error was adopted by the
Apostles, who, when Christ discoursed on the destruction of the temple
and the; city, thought the end of the world was at hand, and this they
connected with their own glory and triumph. (Matthew 24:3.) The Prophet
then is here instructed by the angel how God should direct the course
of his Church when he should manifest to them his only-begotten Son.
Still the severity of distress awaited all the pious; as if he had
said, The time of your triumph is not yet arrived; you must still
continue your warfare, which will prove both laborious and harassing.
The condition of the new people is here compared with that of the
ancient one, who suffered many perils and afflictions at God's hands.
The angel therefore says, even although the faithful suffered very
severely under the law and the prophets, yet a more oppressive season
was at hand, during which God would treat his Church far more strictly
than before, and submit it to far more excruciating trials. This is the
meaning of the passage, a season full of afflictions should arise, such
as the nations had never seen since they began to exist. This may refer
to the creation of the world, and if we refer it to the people
themselves, the exposition will prove correct; for although the Church
had in former periods been wretched, yet after the appearance of
Christ, it should suffer far more calamities than before. We remember
the language of the Psalmist: The impious have often opposed me from my
youth; they have drawn the plough across my back. (Psalm 129:1-3.)
Through all ages then God subjected his Church to really evils and
disasters. But a comparison is here instituted between two different
states of the Church, and the angel shews how after Christ's appearance
it should be far from either quietness or happiness. As it should be
oppressed with heavier afflictions, it is not surprising that the
fathers should wish us to be conformed to the image of his
only-begotten Son. (Romans 8:29.) Since the period of Christ's
resurrection, even if a more harassing warfare awaits us, we ought to
bear it with great equanimity, because the glory of heaven is placed
before our eyes far more clearly than it was before theirs.

At length he adds, At that time thy people shall be preserved. By this
expression the angel points out to us the great importance of the
protection of Michael: He promises certain salvation to his elect
people, as if he had said, although the Church should be exposed to the
greatest dangers, yet with respect to God himself, it should always be
safe and victorious in all contests, because Michael should be superior
to every enemy. The angel then, in thus exhorting the faithful to bear
their cross, shews how free they should be from all doubt as to the
event, and the absolute certainty of their victory. Although at first
sight this prophecy might inspire us with fear and dismay, yet this
comfort ought to be sufficient for us: "We shall be conquerors amidst
fire and sword, and amidst many deaths we are sure of life." As perfect
safety is here set before us, we ought to feel secure, and to enter
with alacrity into every engagement. We are in truth obliged to fight,
but Christ has conquered for us, as he says himself, Trust in me, I
have overcome the world. (John 16:33.) But the angel restricts what he
had said generally by way of correction. Many professed to belong to
the people of God, and every one naturally sprung from the stock of
Israel boasted of being the, offspring of divine seed. As all wished
promiscuously to belong to God's people, the angel restricts his
expression by a limiting phrase, all people, says he, who were found
written in the book This clause does not mean all Israel after "the
flesh," (Romans 9:6-8,) but such as God esteems to be real Israelites
according to gratuitous election alone. He here distinguishes between
the carnal and spiritual children of Abraham, between the outward
Church and that inward and true community which the Almighty approves.
Upon what then does the difference depend between those who boast of
being Abraham's children, while they are rejected by God, and those who
are really and truly his sons? On the mere grace and favor of God. He
declares his election when he regenerates his elect by his Holy Spirit,
and thus inscribes them with a certain mark, while they prove the
reality of this sonship by the whole course of their lives, and confirm
their own adoption. Meanwhile we are compelled to go to the fountain at
once; God alone by his gratuitous election distinguishes the outward
Church, which has nothing but the title, from the true Church, which
can never either perish or fall away. Thus we observe in how many
passages of Scripture hypocrites are rejected in the midst of their
swelling pride, as they have nothing in common with the sons of God but
the external symbols of profession.

We ought to notice this restriction, which assures us of the utter
uselessness of outward pomp, and of the unprofitable nature of even a
high station in the outward Church, unless we are truly among God's
people. This is expressed fully in Psalm 15 and 24, while Psalm 73
confirms the same sentiments. How good is God to Israel, especially to
the upright in heart! In these passages of the Psalms the cause is not
stated to be the secret election of God, but the outward testimony of
the conduct; and this although inferior in degree, is not contrary to
the first cause which produces it. This has its proper place, but God's
election is always superior. The word book refers to that eternal
counsel of God, whereby he elected us and adopted us as his sons before
the foundation of the world, as we read in the first chapter of
Ephesians, (Ephesians 1:4.) In the same sense Ezekiel inveighs against
the false prophets who deceived the people of Israel, (Ezekiel 8:9.) My
hand, says God, shall be upon those prophets who deceive my people:
they shall not therefore be in the secret assembly of my people, nor
shall they be found in the roll of the house of Israel. The word
signifying to write is used here, -- they shall not be written in the
enrollment of the house of Israel. The word book is here used in the
same sense and yet we need not adopt the gross idea, that the Almighty
has any need of a book. His book is that eternal counsel which
predestinates us to himself, and elects us to the hope of eternal
salvation. We now understand the full sense of this instruction, as the
Church shall remain in safety amidst many deaths, and even in the last
stage of despair it shall escape through the mercy and help of God. We
must also remember this definition of a church, because many boast of
being God's sons, who are complete strangers to him. This leads us to
consider the subject of election, as our salvation flows from that
fountain. Our calling, which is his outward testimony to it, follows
that gratuitous adoption which is hidden within himself; and thus God
when regenerating us by his Spirit, inscribes upon us his marks and
signs, whence he is able to acknowledge us as his real children. It
follows, --https://www.ccel.org/ccel/c/calvin/calcom25/cache/calcom25.txt

 

[Johann]

Found quote by Calvin in context,

"He adds next, Behold! Michael, one of the chief leaders or princes, came to strengthen me Some think the word Michael represents Christ, and I do not object to this opinion. Clearly enough, if all angels keep watch over the faithful and elect, still Christ holds the first rank among them, because he is their head, and uses their ministry and assistance to defend all his people. But as this is not generally admitted, I leave it in doubt for the present, and shall say more on the subject in the twelfth chapter. From this passage we may clearly deduce the following conclusion, — angels contend for the Church of God both generally and for single members, just as their help may be needed. This we know to be a part of the occupation of angels, who protect the faithful according to Psalm 34 (Psalm 34:8.) They fix their camp in a circuit round them. God, therefore, plants his angels against all the endeavors of Satan, and all the fury of the impious who desire to destroy us, and are ever plotting for our complete ruin. If God were not to protect us in this way, we should be utterly undone. We are aware of Satan’s horrible hatred to us, and of the mighty fury with which he assails us; we know how skillfully and variously he contrives his artifices; we know him as the prince of this world, dragging and hurrying the greater part of mankind along with him, while they impiously pour forth their threats against us. What prevents Satan from daily absorbing a hundred times over the whole Church both collectively and individually? It clearly becomes necessary for God to oppose his fury, and this he does by angels. While they are contending for us and for our safety, we do not perceive this hidden malice, because they conceal it from us." John Calvin: Commentary on Daniel - Volume 2 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Love your pathos, but don't be surprised if you come under attack for using commentaries, especially Calvin and Reformed teachings.

I don't find anything wrong with it.
J.

 

[The Learner]

The rest of this find is here https://www.ccel.org/ccel/c/calvin/calcom25/cache/calcom25.txt

 

[The Learner]

Love your pathos, but don't be surprised if you come under attack for using commentaries, especially Calvin and Reformed teachings.

I don't find anything wrong with it.
J.

The person saying jesus is Michael used a partual quote of this commentary. Thanks for the input, I expect child like posts from him again. God Bless before my wife gets home from shopping and kicks me off.

 

[Johann]

The person saying jesus is Michael used a partual quote of this commentary. Thanks for the input, I expect child like posts from him again. God Bless before my wife gets home from shopping and kicks me off.

Lol!
Shalom to you and your family.
Johann

 

[lforrest]

My hangups with Michael being Jesus, or another name for him include:

Daniel 10:13

Daniel refers to many princes. Whereas Jesus is unique.

Jude 1:9
An Archangel is an intermediate position, it is beneath Jesus whom has authority over all the angels. God is above the angels in status.

 

[Earburner]

Mat. 13
[35] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

All of the OT prophets prophesied without the knowledge of knowing in which of the three manifestations of Jesus* their prophecies would be fulfilled. Hence the problem of Christianity making sense out of the three comings of Jesus, and what is prophesied to take place in each manifestation.

Therefore, for the sake of secrecy, for the revelation of God's plan of His Salvation through His Son, the Personage of He, who is Co-creator of the world, was to be kept secret until His first manifestation to Israel, in the likeness of human flesh.

In my opinion, I percieve that Michael the archangel is actually Jesus.

*Note:
1. Jesus in the flesh to Israel- past.
2. Jesus in His Spirit to all the world- present.
3. Jesus in His Immortality for His saints- future.

Edit:
Since there are several threads on this topic, you might find this my response in the others.