L066
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
PASADENA CALIFORNIA 91123

JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

May 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your recent inquiry. You asked whether Michael, the archangel, is the individual who later became Jesus Christ.

Michael is not Christ. He is the spirit being, "your prince" (Dan. 10:21; 12:1), sent to serve Israel. Michael and the other princes over the nations are all subject to Christ, who is Supreme Ruler under the Father.

The chief princes among God's created spirit beings have great power and authority over the nations. But what is the limit of their authority? How far does their authority and power extend? In Jude 8 and 9 we read: "These filthy dreamers [evil men] ... despise dominion [authority], and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil ... about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord [Christ -- who is Michael's superior] rebuke thee."

While evil men have little or no respect for those in authority, Michael, who is an archangel, showed respect to the office of authority of Satan the devil. By this scripture we can see very clearly that MICHAEL DOES NOT HAVE GREATER RANK THAN SATAN. If he did, he would have given the devil a command -- he could have done the rebuking himself, instead of saying, "The Lord rebuke thee." But Christ does have greater rank.

Matthew 4:10 records Christ's statement to Satan: "Get thee hence, Satan." Christ gave Satan a sharp command. He was in authority over Satan because He created him as the cherub Lucifer (Ezek. 28:15). Christ is the One through whom the Father created all things (Col. 1:15-16; John 1:1-3).

It is obvious that Michael could not have been Christ. Rather, he is an angelic being who is in authority over other lesser angelic beings in God's Government. He is one of the leaders among God's faithful angels.

Thank you for your interest. If you would like additional information on the subject of angels, write for our free article entitled "Angels -- Servants of God."

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT

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