Is Michael, Jesus?
The book of Enoch was treated as authentic, in the first and second centuries. It doesn’t conflict with true teachings. Interestingly, it talks of Michael as a powerful angel. It also talks of Christ as the son of man! They’re shown to be two different beings in the same passage. If this is the case, that means that Christ is not Michael, but Michael is a strong angel that works very closely under the son of man, Yeshua (Christ)! See Comments on The book of Enoch.
The question of whether Michael the archangel is the same as Jesus Christ has been debated by many. Let’s explore the idea using scripture and other sources.
In Daniel 12:1-2, Michael is described as a great prince who protects God’s people during a time of great trouble. After this, there is a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. This period aligns with Matthew 24:21, where Jesus speaks of a time of great tribulation, which is similar to Michael’s role described in Daniel. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are the same being—it suggests they share roles in fulfilling God’s plan.
The New Testament describes Jesus leading the resurrection at the end of time. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, it says that the Lord (Jesus) will descend from heaven “with the voice of the archangel” and raise the dead. This has led some to believe that Jesus and Michael are the same because of the association with the archangel’s voice. But the passage does not explicitly state they are the same—it simply mentions that the Lord’s return will be accompanied by the voice of an archangel, possibly Michael.
Jesus also describes his role in the resurrection in John 5:25-29, saying that the dead will hear his voice and rise. In other parts of the Gospel of John (John 6:39-40, 44, 54), Jesus confirms that it is his voice that calls the dead to life.
Finally, in Revelation 12:7-9, we see Michael leading a heavenly battle against Satan. While this passage shows Michael’s authority over angels, it doesn’t directly link him to the role of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
Although Michael and Jesus have overlapping roles in God’s plan—such as protecting God’s people and playing key parts in the end times—they are portrayed as distinct beings in scripture. Michael is a powerful angel, while Jesus is the Son of God, responsible for the resurrection and final judgment.
Details:
The period of time that Daniel 12:1-2 pertains to is when the king of the north is finally and decisively destroyed, as shown in the last verse of chapter 11. There’s a good chance that it is by Michael. Daniel 12:1 is a continuation of the end of chapter 11, which contains struggles between the kings of the north and south, including the destruction of the king of the north. Once Michael takes a stand for God’s people, the resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous begins. Interestingly, as 12:2 shows, Daniel’s people (God’s people) are not delivered until after Michael takes a stand for his people. God’s people were in danger AND had straightened their worship, Michael intervenes and delivers. Compare Christ’s Bride and the chapter on Identifying the king of the north for our day.
The NETS (New English Translation of the Septuagint) has two translations of Daniel 12:1,2 which talks about Michael, the tribulation, the deliverance of God’s people, and resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous:
The NETS OG (Old Greek) renders the passage as:
“And at that hour Michael, the great angel who stands over the sons of your people, will pass by. That is a day of affliction, which will be such as has not occurred since they were born until that day. And on that day the whole people will be exalted, whoever is found inscribed in the book. (2) And many of those who sleep in the flat of the earth will arise, some to everlasting life but others to shame and others to dispersion [and contempt] everlasting.”
The NETS TH (Theodotion) renders the passage as:
“And at that time Michael, the great ruler who stands over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of affliction such as had not occurred since a nation first came into existence until that time. And at that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is written in the book. (2) And many of those who sleep in a mound of earth will be awakened, these to everlasting life and those to shame and everlasting contempt.”
12 “At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
With the above, compare Matthew 24:3,21 (The Interlinear Bible);
“…The disciples came to Him privately, saying, tell us, when will these things be? And What is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? … (21) For there will be great affliction, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now; no, nor ever will be.”
Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (WEB):
13 But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, 17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So, we will be with the Lord forever.
Compare also what Jesus says about himself and the resurrection:
25 Most certainly, I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself. 27 He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. 28 Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, 29 and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
39 This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. 40 This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.
54 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
48 He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day.
See Revelation and look for chapter 12:7-9 picture.
7 There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war. 8 They didn’t prevail. No place was found for them any more in heaven. 9 The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.