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"A terrible earthquake is going to break the oceanic earth crust under the Pacific Ocean by the year 1996 AD
-- The Return of Jupiter
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Exclusive: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12)
Posted on Friday, February 17 @ 14:06:43 PST by Jeff Carter |
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by Jeff Carter
Who is Michael? And why is he figting the Dragon rather than Jesus? When does this holy war in the heavens take place? What does it mean for us?
Having failed to devour the man-child as it was being born, the great red dragon finds himself suddenly attacked by "the Michael" (the definitive pronoun precedes the name Micael) and his army of angels. And while the dragon and his army of angels attempt to fight back, they are utterly defeated. It has been pointed out by numerous writers that it seems strange that it is Michael, rather than the Messiah, who overcomes the dragon, identified with the Devil, or Satan in vs. 9, especially when later in these verses the victory is ascribed to the "blood of the Lamb" - a messianic reference. Perhaps this seems strange because we've misunderstood the nature of "the Michael."
Only here and Jude 9 in the NT is Michael mentioned. In the OT there are a number of people named Michael, but the supernatural Michael is found only in the book of Daniel (10: 13, 21, 12:1) His name means "Who Is Like God?" and he is called "one of the Chief Princes" (Dan. 10: 13), "your Prince" (Dan. 10:21), "the great Prince, defender of your people" (Dan 12:1) and "the archangel" (Jude 9).
According to the Roman Catholic understanding of the order of angels, "Archangel" is a class or type of angle. But the word is better understood as a title meaning "chief of the angels" or "chief of the messengers." The Archangel is the Captain of the angelic armies (Josh. 5: 13 - 15). The Captain of the angelic armies is the Lord of the hosts. "Archangel" is a title for none other than Jesus himself.
The only other place in scripture where the word "Archangel" is used is 1 Thessalonians 4:16 where Paul writes, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God..." It is important to note that it is not with the shout of an archangel - as if there were more than one of them - but with the voice of the archangel; there is only one mentioned in the bible. In this passage it is the voice of archangel that awakens the sleeping saints to thier resurrection. But whose voice is it that calls the dead from their graves? It is the voice of the Messiah (John 5:25 - 29, 11: 43 - 44) It is The Christ who shouts with the voice of the Archangel and arrives with the trumpet call of God.
This is not to say that the Jehovah's Wittnesses have had it correct all along. According to the J.W. Jesus has existed in three different, separate states:
1) Michael the archangel , God's first creation. He ceased being Michael when he became
2) A perfect man on earth for 33 years In his resurrection he again became
3) Michael the archangel ( You May Survive Armageddon into God's New World pg. 112)
"The foremost angel, both in power and authority, is the archangel, Jesus Christ, also called Michael." - The Watchtower, November 1, 1995, pg. 8
"He [Jesus] has rightly been called Michael the Archangel. His lfie-force having been transfered to Mary's egg cell by Almighty God's power that overshadowed Mary meant that he, Michael, disappeared from heaven. By human birth by Mary, the Jewish virgin, he was to become a human soul." ( Gods' "Eternal Purpose" Now Triumphing For Man's Good pg. 137-138)
This is wrong; very wrong. Jesus was not the "first created being." He is the eternal God, who came to dwell among men as a man without ceasing to be the eternal God. But the title "Archangel" - "chief" or "prince" of the angels can aptly be given to Jesus without diminishing or discrediting his Divinity or his Humanity. The Messiah is described as an angel in Malachi 3:1, " the angel of the covenant for whom you long is on his way..." So the idea of Jesus as the archangel is not without warrent or scriptural basis.
Some object that Michael is described as "one of the chief princes" in Daneil 10: 13, not the chief prince. Yet the word for one (Hebrew - echad) can mean first. In fact, Young's Literal Translation of the Bible translates Daniel 10:13 as " And the head of the kingdom of Persia is standing over-against me twenty and one days, and lo, Michael, first ['echad] of the chief heads, hath come in to help me, and I have remained there near the kings of Persia." (YLT)
The Hebrew name Michael means "Who is Like God?" or "one who is like God." This name fits perfectly with the Angel of Yahweh (Who is recognized to be God himself), who had God's name in him (Ex. 23:21) and was the "Presence" of Yahwheh among the people (Ex. 33:14, Deut. 4:37, Isa. 63:9). It also fits perfectly with Christ, who is the exact image of God (2 Cor. 4:4, Col. 1:15, Heb. 1:3).
Michael the archangel is a symbolic presentation of Jesus - the one who is like God, the leader of the angel armies of heaven, the first of the chief princes. He is the one whose shout awakens the dead to resurrection, the one would arise to fight for his people during a time of great tribulation (Dan. 12:1).
The battle in Revelation 12 is between the "'Michael and his angels' on one side, and the 'dragon and his angels' on the other. Christ, the great angel of the covenant and his faitful followers; and Satan and all his instruments. This latter party would be much superior in number and outward strength to the other; but the strength of the church lies in having the Lord Jesus for hte Captain of their salvation." (Matthew Henrey's Commentary on the Whole Bible pg. 2477)
Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be thrown out. John 12:31
The great dragon, the primeval serpent, known as the devil or Satan, was defeated and driven out of heaven. The various names given to this great red dragon help us to identify the person and character of Satan. He is the great dragon - the sea monster of chaos. Like the Leviathan ("Twisted One") of the OT, twisting and turning and thrasing about. He is the Primeval Serpet - the subtle serpent in the Garden of Eden who decieved Adam and Eve. He is the Devil - (Greek diabolos ) indicating that is is an accuser or a slanderer, especially in a court setting (Ps. 109:6). He is the one who stood before God to make accuastions against the people of God. As Satan (Hebrew HaSatan) he is the "adversary" or the "enemy" (Ps. 38:20, Zech 3:1, Job 2: 1 - 6) In the OT this is less of a name, than a title: he is The Satan.
Such is the case in the book of Job, where we see the angels presenting themselves before Yahweh and The Satan,or The Accuser also came with them. The accusations he brought, however, were not all honest accusations. The name "devil" indicates that he is a slanderer - a liar and "the father of lies" (Jn 8:44). His lies had decieved the whole world. But now, after being defeated by The Michael and hsi angels, the Satan is thrown out of heaven. He no longer has access to God to make accusations agains the people of God.
He is "cast out" of heaven. No place could be found for him there. 3Xs in verse 9 alone the word ballo is used to describe the casting out of Satan and his angels. They were excommunicated from the presence of God. Ballo is the smae word used in a slightly different form (ekballo) to describe the "casting out of demons" accomplished by Jesus and his disciples (Mt. 7:22, 8:31, 10:1, Lk. 11:18 - 20).
During Jesus' ministry he sent his apostles out to proclaim that the "Kingdom of God is very near to you" (Lk. 10:11). When they returned from this mission they excitedly recounted to Jesus, "even the devils submit to us when we use your name." To this Jesus replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven (Lk. 10: 1- 20)." Satan was driven out of heaven (ballo) by the Michael and his angels as the demons were being driven out of the people (ekballo) by Jesus and his apostles. When the dragon was flung down from heaven worshipping voices shouted, "Salvation and power and empire for ever have been won by our God, and all authroity for his Christ, now that the acccusser, who accused our brothers day and night before our God, has been brought down." During his ministry on earth Jesus expressed the same thought, " If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. (Mt. 12:28)"
"The Holy War between Michael and the Dragon therefore cannot possibly be a protrayal of the final battle of history at the end of the world. It cannot be future at all. It is not a battle to take place at the Second Coming . The victory over the Dragon, according to St. John, does not take place by means of a cataclysmic event at the end of history, but by means of the cataclysmic event that took place in the middle of history; the sacrifice of the Lamb. The language used to describe the basis of Michael's conquest has nothing to do with the Second Coming, but has everything to do with the First Coming. The martyrs have overcome by means of the shed blood of Christ, and by means of the fearless proclamation of the Gospel and the Gospel alone." (David Chilton - Days of Vengeance pg. 315 - 316)
Heaven had reason to rejoce. We have reason to rejoice: the Satan had been thrown out. But Earth had reason to fret and woe for the great red dragon had been hurled down full of wrath, knowing that he had only a very short time before his final end. Praise be to God.
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Jeff Carter is a columnist for PlanetPreterist.com. Jeff is an officer in the Salvation Army, working as an Administrator of the Social Services and Pastor of the Church.
View Jeff Carter archives
Note: Opinions presented on PlanetPreterist.com or by PlanetPreterist.com columnists may not necessarily reflect the position of PlanetPreterist.com, or reflect the beliefs, doctrine or theological position of all other preterists. We encourage all readers to first and foremost carefully analyze all articles in the light of God's Word.
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Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
 by JL (jl@planetpreterist.com) on Friday, February 17 @ 15:01:21 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Very good Jeff.
Thank-you
JL |
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- by MichaelB on Friday, February 17 @ 15:17:05 PST
- by JL on Friday, February 17 @ 15:41:43 PST
Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
 by psychohmike on Friday, February 17 @ 15:20:19 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | I think I just want to go back to the Bible not making sense.
Does anyone know where I can find Morpheus...I need to take the blue pill.
8) Mike |
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- by MichaelB on Friday, February 17 @ 15:23:34 PST
Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
 by MiddleKnowledge on Friday, February 17 @ 15:40:56 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Jeff,
Very good article.
I got into a discussion with an old-earth creationist futurist a few weeks ago and claimed essentially what you present here without an explanation. He had a quick comeback that I was teaching JW stuff. At the time I had not thought of all these connections you present. Remarkable work, my friend.
I wish I had had your article two months ago, but isn't that the way life goes sometimes? Keep it up,
Tim Martin
www.truthinliving.org |
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Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
 by chrisliv on Friday, February 17 @ 15:52:30 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Yeah,
Very good article and points.
Initially, some might get uptight with associating "Michael" with Christ, even as a sort of title, believing that might suggest a Watchtower orientation. I certainly resisted accepting this association many years ago when in dialogue with Watchtower personnel many years ago.
Of course, we known that the pre-incarnate "Word," according to John's Gospel, and elsewhere, informs us that "He" created all "things" and is before all "things". So, Christ cannot be a spirit/person/angel created by God, as the Watchtower maintains, i.e., even as "the first and greatest creation of Jehovah God".
No, there is only two classes of existence: the Creator, and the "things" which exist by creation that have an actual starting point.
It's probably inaccurate to even refer to the person of the pre-incarnate Christ as the Son of God, since the "Son" title is really only functional in time and space (like Father and Mother are too), relative to the Incarnation or as a prophetic reference in the O.T. And that's probably why John chose to make reference by saying "In the beginning was the Word..." rather than, "In the beginning was the Son..." And even that (Word) seems somehow lacking.
Again, nice article on a tricky little topic.
Peace to you all,
C. Livingstone |
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- by MichaelB on Friday, February 17 @ 16:05:14 PST
- by MichaelB on Friday, February 17 @ 16:12:42 PST
- by MiddleKnowledge on Friday, February 17 @ 16:36:03 PST
- by chrisliv on Friday, February 17 @ 17:55:37 PST
- by vinster on Saturday, February 18 @ 06:15:38 PST
- by chef on Sunday, February 19 @ 06:10:41 PST
Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
 by davo on Friday, February 17 @ 17:59:35 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) |
Great article Jeff.
Quite some time ago now I came across an article of the same leaning, I think it is worth the read. The author Michael Scheifler a Sevent-day Adventist – HERE.
Another like-minded and well researched article by Bob Pickle is – HERE.
Yes JW's claim that Jesus was merely an angel – but that is way different than saying "the" angel was in fact Jesus.
davo – pantelism.com – |
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- by leo724 on Saturday, February 18 @ 21:23:22 PST
Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
by mazuur on Friday, February 17 @ 19:00:39 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Excellent work. Thank you very much, as I am only just getting started to study this very topic. You have given me a great start.
I do have one question. You mentioned Jude 9. It reads as follows,
"But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”"
Help me out here. If Michael is Jesus, why would Jesus (who is God) be afraid to pronounce a judgement against Satan, and call on the Lord?
Thanks,
Rich |
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- by jcarter on Tuesday, February 21 @ 10:25:32 PST
- by Duncan2 on Tuesday, February 21 @ 12:12:02 PST
Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
by Islamaphobe on Friday, February 17 @ 20:37:10 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | I enjoyed the article, ran it off, and shall study it carefully. I can tell there are some good points in it. I must also suggest, however, that I do not think the case for having Michael be Christ is quite as strong as Jeff thinks. For one thing, if Michael is Christ, then why is it that in Revelation it is only in chapter 12 that the name Michael is used to identify Him?
But I do not claim to have expertise about Revelation, and I recognize that David Chilton, Kurt Simmons, and other authorities take Michael to be Christ in Revelation 12. I do claim some expertise with regard to the Book of Daniel, and I have problems identifying the Michael of Daniel as Christ. Michael is identified in Daniel 10:13 as ONE of the chief princes, not THE chief prince, and he is identified as being the prince of the Jewish people in 10:21 and 12:1. He is NOT explicitly associated with the messianic figure of 7:13-14, who is given everlasting dominion over the EARTH and is worshipped by all peoples.
Now if the Michael in Daniel nevertheless symbolizes Christ, then who is the man dressed in linen of 10:5 and 12:7? And who is the "one who looked like a man" of 10:16 and 10:18?
I shall be very interested in comments in response to the issues I have raised here. |
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- by atavistadvocate on Friday, February 17 @ 22:15:25 PST
- by Duncan on Saturday, February 18 @ 09:29:35 PST
- by Islamaphobe on Saturday, February 18 @ 10:52:19 PST
- by Islamaphobe on Saturday, February 18 @ 11:28:09 PST
- by Flakinde on Saturday, February 18 @ 20:44:56 PST
- by ThomasS on Sunday, February 19 @ 23:52:29 PST
- by Flakinde on Monday, February 20 @ 07:50:17 PST
- by ThomasS on Monday, February 20 @ 09:29:36 PST
- by wilycowboy on Sunday, February 19 @ 21:19:57 PST
Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
 by Virgil on Saturday, February 18 @ 12:07:04 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Very cool stuff Jeff. Until now, it never occured to me to associate what Jesus said in Luke 10 with the "driving out" of Satan from the heavens. Good stuff!! |
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Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
 by jcarter on Saturday, February 18 @ 15:35:24 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Thanks all... (even those who may disagree.)
I was hesitant to post this piece. I worried that the J.W. issue would be sensitive - it proved to be too tricky a distinction for some other friends to accept, and caused a serious rift for a while...
Thanks for the kind words. I'll do my best to write and think well, for the glory of God. |
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Re: Michael's War With The Dragon (Revelation 12: 7 - 12) (Score: 1)
 by Ransom on Tuesday, February 21 @ 09:01:14 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Although initially willing to look at this, I bucked at 1 Thess. 4:16, when in one phrase it calls Jesus the Lord, then immediately (supposedly) renames him the archangel. I looked it up in Greek, and found that the actual structure is "The Lord Himself with a shout with a voice of (an) archangel with a trumpet of God will descend from heaven..." This looks like it's drawing a simile with the voice of an archangel. There is no definite article with the "archangel" word here, which definitely leads to the idea that there is a class of angels called "archangels."
Similarly troubling is the identification of Jesus as even the first among the chief princes. That seems to create a class that Jesus is somehow among that sounds more like Arianism than most of us are willing to follow. |
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