Some Christians believe that Michael and Jesus are the same person. I’m not convinced of that. What holds me back is the word “angel” that’s included in Michael’s title. To me, that seems to be saying that if Michael and Jesus were the same, then Jesus is an angel; and that’s impossible because angels are created beings. Jesus, as God, was not created. He’s always been in existence.

I’ve been told, though, that because the Bible never actually calls Michael an angel, I shouldn’t focus on the “angel” part of the title. Instead, the explanation is found in the whole of the title. Michael being addressed as Archangel simply means that he is in charge as Lord of the angels. In other words, Michael’s title, it’s explained, is like that of the U.S. president, who though he isn’t a soldier, nonetheless is Commander in Chief.

That by itself doesn’t do it for me. Doubt still lingers in my mind. However, I do have to say that the following indicators, taken together, seem to have some merit for Michael and Jesus being the same person.

• Daniel 12: 1 says that Michael, the great prince, intercedes for God’s people. That Jesus is God’s prince and our intercessor is also biblically stated (Isaiah 9: 6; Acts 3: 15; 5: 31; 1Timothy 2: 5).
• It is assumed by many scholars that it was Michael who appeared before Joshua and told Joshua to take off his shoes and worship him (Joshua 5: 13-15). If Michael were simply an angel, he wouldn’t have told Joshua to worship him. He would have made it known that they both were the same in terms of being fellow servants of the Lord. That’s what an angel told the apostle John when John attempted to worship him. That angel said to worship only God (Revelation 22: 9).
• The Bible says that when Jesus returns, He will descend with the voice of the Archangel (1 Thessalonians 4: 16).
• The book of Jude (1: 9) implies that it is Michael who resurrects Moses. Jesus, of course, is known as the only resurrecting power. He is the Resurrection (John 11: 25).

I have to admit too that it’s not out of the question that the pre-incarnate Jesus, who made earthly appearances (called Christophanies), could have been called Michael (the name’s meaning is “like God”). After all, Revelation 3: 12 suggests that God, the Father, has a name that we don’t know. Furthermore, it goes on to say that in the future, Jesus will be called something else.

Still, certainty for or against this controversial, non-salvation topic eludes me. Right now, I’m just going to have to view this as another one of those issues that’ll only be truly known after reaching heaven.