INBOX QUESTION:
“Bro. Justin, good morning. A Friend of mine (a Jehovah’s Witness) and I had a
lot of argument about Jesus Christ and Archangel Michael. Very important
Biblical question for a proper research and a concrete answer in faith. The
question is, Archangel Michael being identified in the Bible, is he the same
person as our Lord Jesus Christ? Give good reasons for your answers and make
clear facts from the Scripture. (If you post this in our Catholic Doctrine
Facebook Group Page to get other Members’ views, that will be good).
Cheers.”
“Bro. Justin, good morning. A Friend of mine (a Jehovah’s Witness) and I had a
lot of argument about Jesus Christ and Archangel Michael. Very important
Biblical question for a proper research and a concrete answer in faith. The
question is, Archangel Michael being identified in the Bible, is he the same
person as our Lord Jesus Christ? Give good reasons for your answers and make
clear facts from the Scripture. (If you post this in our Catholic Doctrine
Facebook Group Page to get other Members’ views, that will be good).
Cheers.”
RESPONSE:
First of all, experience has shown me in my dealings with the Jehovah’s
Witnesses that, in the great majority of cases, logical, rational arguments
have absolutely no effect on members of the Jehovah’s Witness group. They are
thoroughly trained and brainwashed into a particular way of thinking, to such
an extent that no matter how obvious and biblical an argument you use, they are
impervious to the truth. So, please be prepared for this effort to be of use
only to yourself and not to your Jehovah Witness friends.
First of all, experience has shown me in my dealings with the Jehovah’s
Witnesses that, in the great majority of cases, logical, rational arguments
have absolutely no effect on members of the Jehovah’s Witness group. They are
thoroughly trained and brainwashed into a particular way of thinking, to such
an extent that no matter how obvious and biblical an argument you use, they are
impervious to the truth. So, please be prepared for this effort to be of use
only to yourself and not to your Jehovah Witness friends.
Having
given that somewhat discouraging introduction let me deal with your question.
Prima facie, I want you to understand that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are a group
of non-Trinitarian sect; put differently, they are not Christians in the first
place. Hence, they deny the Trinity which is the central belief of Christianity
that there is one God who exists as three co-equal and co-eternal persons, The
Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. This is clearly seen in the Scriptures
and our Creed even affirms it.
given that somewhat discouraging introduction let me deal with your question.
Prima facie, I want you to understand that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are a group
of non-Trinitarian sect; put differently, they are not Christians in the first
place. Hence, they deny the Trinity which is the central belief of Christianity
that there is one God who exists as three co-equal and co-eternal persons, The
Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. This is clearly seen in the Scriptures
and our Creed even affirms it.
Unfortunately,
for the Jehovah’s Witness, Jesus is identified as Michael the archangel. Put
differently, angel Michael became Jesus at the incarnation who later became
Michael again after going into heaven, and that he would return as archangel
Michael. This erroneous teaching is found in their “Aid to Bible Understanding,
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1971, 1152”. They arrive at this
erroneous belief primarily through a misinterpretation of (1) Daniel 10:13, 21,
where reference is made to a “great prince,” Michael; and (2) First
Thessalonians 4:16, where the Lord Jesus is described as descending from heaven
at the sound of the archangel’s voice. The Jehovah’s Witness’ own New World
Translation of the Bible reads, ” . . . the Lord himself will descend from
heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice.” For them, since
the bible says the Lord Jesus descends from heaven “with an archangel’s
voice,” they understand this passage as “suggesting that he is, in
fact, himself the archangel.
for the Jehovah’s Witness, Jesus is identified as Michael the archangel. Put
differently, angel Michael became Jesus at the incarnation who later became
Michael again after going into heaven, and that he would return as archangel
Michael. This erroneous teaching is found in their “Aid to Bible Understanding,
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1971, 1152”. They arrive at this
erroneous belief primarily through a misinterpretation of (1) Daniel 10:13, 21,
where reference is made to a “great prince,” Michael; and (2) First
Thessalonians 4:16, where the Lord Jesus is described as descending from heaven
at the sound of the archangel’s voice. The Jehovah’s Witness’ own New World
Translation of the Bible reads, ” . . . the Lord himself will descend from
heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice.” For them, since
the bible says the Lord Jesus descends from heaven “with an archangel’s
voice,” they understand this passage as “suggesting that he is, in
fact, himself the archangel.
Now, what
is wrong with this view of the Jehovah’s witnesses?
is wrong with this view of the Jehovah’s witnesses?
- First,
they have their own bible called “New World Translation”, and this bible was
written to suit their theology. - Secondly,
while there are several problems with this line of reasoning (the archangel’s
voice), two points in particular easily reveal its fallacy. First, the fact
that the Lord Jesus descends “with an archangel’s voice” does not
automatically mean that it is his own voice spoken of. This passage simply says
that an archangel’s voice will accompany the Lord’s descent from heaven, in the
same manner that the bailiff’s voice (“All rise!”) accompanies the
judge’s entrance into the courtroom. - Thirdly,
our Christian Bible makes us to understand in John 1:1 that “In the beginning
was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” More also, in John
8:58, Jesus makes clear that before Abraham, I AM. This name “I AM” is
certainly the name of God revealed to Moses at the scene of the burning bush,
hence, gives a proof of the divinity of Jesus with God the Father.
Now what
happens if you show these bible passages to the Jehovah’s Witnesses? If this
happens, they would not be moved, rather they would show you their own biblical
misinterpretation of the verses cited above.
happens if you show these bible passages to the Jehovah’s Witnesses? If this
happens, they would not be moved, rather they would show you their own biblical
misinterpretation of the verses cited above.
First, they would say that in John 1:1, that the Word was not God but it was
written that “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word
was “a god”. Their argument is that since the New Testament was written in
Greek, and in Greek, there is no definite article “a or an” they tend to
introduce it in English to suit their theology. This is clearly a big error,
because in other portions of the Gospels where the Father is being referred as
God, why didn’t they introduce the definite article to show that the Father is
a small god? This is a clear evidence to show that they wrote their bible to
suit their own theology.
Also,
their biblical interpretation of John 8:58 does not refer to Jesus as “I Am”
because if it does, they would be acclaiming Jesus as God which goes contrary
to their belief, instead, they wrote: “…before Abraham, I have been” which is
clearly different from “I AM”.
their biblical interpretation of John 8:58 does not refer to Jesus as “I Am”
because if it does, they would be acclaiming Jesus as God which goes contrary
to their belief, instead, they wrote: “…before Abraham, I have been” which is
clearly different from “I AM”.
Now, let’s
see what the Scripture tells about the divinity of Christ as contained in the
Christian Bible.
1. Look at Hebrews 1:5: ” . . . To which one of the angels did God ever
say: ‘You are my son; I, today, I have become your Father’?” This suggests
that the Son of God (Jesus) can’t be an angel (or an archangel, since
“archangel” simply means “high ranking angel”), because it
was to the Son that the Father said, “I have become your Father.”
see what the Scripture tells about the divinity of Christ as contained in the
Christian Bible.
1. Look at Hebrews 1:5: ” . . . To which one of the angels did God ever
say: ‘You are my son; I, today, I have become your Father’?” This suggests
that the Son of God (Jesus) can’t be an angel (or an archangel, since
“archangel” simply means “high ranking angel”), because it
was to the Son that the Father said, “I have become your Father.”
2. In Heb
1:6, it says “Again when he brings his firstborn into the world, he says let
all the angels worship him” Now, the fact and the truth is that angels don’t
worship an archangel, who, after all, is just another creature. They worship
God; this we see in Rev. 19:9-10, 22:8-9. Hence, the Son of God identified in this
verse 6 as the “firstborn” is Jesus Christ, God himself, and not angel Michael.
Even the Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their own, backhanded way, recognize this.
Look at their translation of verse 6: “Let all God’s angels do OBEISANCE
to him,” referring to the Son. This word “OBEISANCE” is known according to
the dictionary as worship, adoration, veneration, reverence etc… But the
problem is that they won’t open their hearts to the truth and understand it,
instead, they tend to give it another interpretation; so bad!
1:6, it says “Again when he brings his firstborn into the world, he says let
all the angels worship him” Now, the fact and the truth is that angels don’t
worship an archangel, who, after all, is just another creature. They worship
God; this we see in Rev. 19:9-10, 22:8-9. Hence, the Son of God identified in this
verse 6 as the “firstborn” is Jesus Christ, God himself, and not angel Michael.
Even the Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their own, backhanded way, recognize this.
Look at their translation of verse 6: “Let all God’s angels do OBEISANCE
to him,” referring to the Son. This word “OBEISANCE” is known according to
the dictionary as worship, adoration, veneration, reverence etc… But the
problem is that they won’t open their hearts to the truth and understand it,
instead, they tend to give it another interpretation; so bad!
3. Now,
let’s turn to John 20:28, where Thomas says, as he probes Jesus’ wounds,
“My Lord and my God!” Note that Jesus didn’t correct Thomas’
identification of him as God, because no correction was needed. Thomas,
previously doubting, knew exactly what he was saying, and what he was saying
was true; instead Jesus added: “you believe because you have seen, blessed are
those who have not seen, yet, believe.
let’s turn to John 20:28, where Thomas says, as he probes Jesus’ wounds,
“My Lord and my God!” Note that Jesus didn’t correct Thomas’
identification of him as God, because no correction was needed. Thomas,
previously doubting, knew exactly what he was saying, and what he was saying
was true; instead Jesus added: “you believe because you have seen, blessed are
those who have not seen, yet, believe.
4. In
Colossians 2:15-20 Paul says that he (Jesus) is the image of God and that in
him the fullness of deity dwells. We certainly cannot say such a thing about an
angel or archangel Michael. Also, the Bible never says that angel Michael is
the Messaiah.
Colossians 2:15-20 Paul says that he (Jesus) is the image of God and that in
him the fullness of deity dwells. We certainly cannot say such a thing about an
angel or archangel Michael. Also, the Bible never says that angel Michael is
the Messaiah.
5. Titus
2:13 describes Jesus as our God and Saviour. In John 8:58, Jesus says of
himself, before Abraham was born, I AM. He takes the very name YAHWEH (which
means I AM) for himself. The Jews were not in doubt what that meant. They
understood that he meant He is YAHWEH (God), and they picked up stones to stone
him.
2:13 describes Jesus as our God and Saviour. In John 8:58, Jesus says of
himself, before Abraham was born, I AM. He takes the very name YAHWEH (which
means I AM) for himself. The Jews were not in doubt what that meant. They
understood that he meant He is YAHWEH (God), and they picked up stones to stone
him.
6. Jesus
is not angel Michael because, Angels bow to Him (several places in the book of
Revelation). It is blasphemy to consider anyone bowing to or worshiping an
angel.
is not angel Michael because, Angels bow to Him (several places in the book of
Revelation). It is blasphemy to consider anyone bowing to or worshiping an
angel.
7. One
final proof that Jesus is not Michael the archangel actually comes from one of
the five passages in which Michael’s name is found in Scripture—Jude verse 9.
According to Jude: “Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when
he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling
accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ ” Whereas angel Michael would not
dare pronounce a railing judgment against the devil (cf. 2 Peter 2:11). Hence,
if angel Michael is the Lord Jesus as the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim he is, then
he would not have to call on the name of anyone else in order to rebuke the devil.
However, we see that Michael the Archangel said, “The Lord rebuke
you,” thereby demonstrating that he is not the Lord. Therefore, the Son of
God obviously is NOT Michael the archangel.
final proof that Jesus is not Michael the archangel actually comes from one of
the five passages in which Michael’s name is found in Scripture—Jude verse 9.
According to Jude: “Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when
he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling
accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ ” Whereas angel Michael would not
dare pronounce a railing judgment against the devil (cf. 2 Peter 2:11). Hence,
if angel Michael is the Lord Jesus as the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim he is, then
he would not have to call on the name of anyone else in order to rebuke the devil.
However, we see that Michael the Archangel said, “The Lord rebuke
you,” thereby demonstrating that he is not the Lord. Therefore, the Son of
God obviously is NOT Michael the archangel.
A SIMPLE
ADVICE
Do not count on these passages influencing the thinking of the Jehovah’s
Witnesses. First of all, they have been thoroughly trained and brainwashed
using a translation of their own Bible (The New World Translation) which is
perhaps the most discredited translation in existence. It mistranslates the
Greek whenever it obviously has Jesus being God.
ADVICE
Do not count on these passages influencing the thinking of the Jehovah’s
Witnesses. First of all, they have been thoroughly trained and brainwashed
using a translation of their own Bible (The New World Translation) which is
perhaps the most discredited translation in existence. It mistranslates the
Greek whenever it obviously has Jesus being God.
Second,
they have been brainwashed by the Watchtower Society with proof-texts which can
be used to explain away the obvious implications of every single one of these
passages.
they have been brainwashed by the Watchtower Society with proof-texts which can
be used to explain away the obvious implications of every single one of these
passages.
Thirdly,
if they have not actually been sufficiently well trained to provide countering
proof-texts, then they have been trained to disengage immediately from any
discussion they find difficult and bring in someone else to prove you wrong.
This is a no-win situation.
if they have not actually been sufficiently well trained to provide countering
proof-texts, then they have been trained to disengage immediately from any
discussion they find difficult and bring in someone else to prove you wrong.
This is a no-win situation.
So, what
should you do? Perhaps simply politely refuse to engage in fruitless arguments
with this group of people. Or, if you choose to have the discussion, perhaps
you can point them back to the heart of Christianity, which is the love of God,
the grace of Jesus Christ and God’s desire for all people to be saved.
Hopefully, our Christian life is sufficiently strong that we can provide a true
witness to Jesus Christ. If they have already become disillusioned with the
Watchtower Society, then perhaps we may have found God’s moment to help change
a life for eternity.
should you do? Perhaps simply politely refuse to engage in fruitless arguments
with this group of people. Or, if you choose to have the discussion, perhaps
you can point them back to the heart of Christianity, which is the love of God,
the grace of Jesus Christ and God’s desire for all people to be saved.
Hopefully, our Christian life is sufficiently strong that we can provide a true
witness to Jesus Christ. If they have already become disillusioned with the
Watchtower Society, then perhaps we may have found God’s moment to help change
a life for eternity.
In any case, we should always pray for them, and ask God’s
Holy Spirit to illumine their hearts and mind. This is so true because they do
not believe in the Holy Spirit as God, hence, they as not guided by the Holy
Spirit. Just as St. Paul clearly points out in 1Corinthians 12:3: “…no one is
able to say ‘Jesus is Lord’ if he is not led by the Holy Spirit”
Jesus is God!
Holy Spirit to illumine their hearts and mind. This is so true because they do
not believe in the Holy Spirit as God, hence, they as not guided by the Holy
Spirit. Just as St. Paul clearly points out in 1Corinthians 12:3: “…no one is
able to say ‘Jesus is Lord’ if he is not led by the Holy Spirit”
Jesus is God!
I believe this article answers the question…
(READ ALSO, THE USE OF INCENSE AT THE LITUGICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE CHURCH)
