Michael The Archangel

The word angel means "messenger".

The word archangel means "the chief of the angels" (but not necessarily an angelic being himself).

The book of Jude is quite clear about who the archangel is.

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
- Jude 1:9 (KJV)

The name Michael means "Who is like God?". It's a rhetorically question really, no one is like God.

The name Michael the archangel can then be translated as "the greatest messenger who is like God".

Some say that Michael the archangel is simply another name for Jesus Christ.

There are only 15 Bible verses that even mention the name Michael (10 of which refer to normal people).

Let's check out the remaining 5 Bible verses.

Bible

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
- Daniel 10:13 (KJV)

Here Michael is presented as "one of the chief princes".

A better translation for that would be "first of the chief princes".

Jesus is of course also known as the Prince of Peace, the Prince of Life, and the Prince of the Host, etc.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

This is one of the reasons people draw a connection between Jesus and Michael, because they are both referred to as "prince".


But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
- Daniel 10:21 (KJV)

Here Michael is presented as "your prince".


And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy 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 thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
- Daniel 12:1 (KJV)

Here Michael is presented as "the great prince".

The words "And at that time shall Michael stand up" are very powerful, because it's a great comfort to know that Michael shall stand up for us during the end times.


Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
- Jude 1:9 (KJV)

Here Michael is presented as "the archangel".

There are only 2 references in the Bible for the word "archangel". (See the section below for the other verse)

From what I understand, a "railing accusation" is essentially like "blasphemy", so it is possible that Jesus simply didn't want to go down that path (durst not), and just said "The Lord rebuke thee".

The words "The Lord rebuke thee" are almost verbatim to this verse:

And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
- Zechariah 3:2 (KJV)


For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV)

This verse clearly states that the Lord's shout is that of the archangel.

This verse really comes alive when we compare it to the verse below.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
- John 5:25 (KJV)

Both are referring to the resurrection.

Voice of the Son of God -> resurrection
Voice of the archangel -> resurrection

Jesus is the only one who can raise the dead.

So from this we can conclude that the archangel is the Son of God.


And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
- Revelation 12:7-8 (KJV)

Here Michael is presented as "commander of his angels".

The angels belong to Jesus.

Seventh Day Adventists / Ellen White

Let's look at what Ellen White has to say:

Moses passed through death, but Michael came down and gave him life before his body had seen corruption. Satan tried to hold the body, claiming it as his; but Michael resurrected Moses and took him to heaven. Satan railed bitterly against God, denouncing Him as unjust in permitting his prey to be taken from him; but Christ did not rebuke His adversary, though it was through his temptation that the servant of God had fallen. He meekly referred him to His Father, saying, "The Lord rebuke thee".
- Ellen White, Early Writings, Page 164.2

First thing to notice is that Michael came down and resurrected Moses.

Only Jesus can raise the dead.

Note also that Ellen White uses the name of Michael and Christ interchangeably when referring to the above event.

The angels buried him, but the Son of God soon came down and raised him from the dead and took him to heaven.
- Ellen White, Testimonies for the church, Vol. 1, Page 659.1

Ellen White was a prophet, and her words do carry a lot of weight.

Conclusion

It took me a long time to understand that "Michael the archangel" is another name for Jesus Christ, but I do now believe it's correct.

Check out this Bible study for more information. It also covers things like who "the angel of the Lord" is (as mentioned in the Old Testament).