Michael, "who is like God"

Michael

The following expressions are strong, vibrant, personal praises to “my God”.

Exo 15:11  Who^H4310 is like unto thee,^H3644 O LORD,^H3068 among the gods?^H410 who^H4310 is like thee,^H3644 glorious^H142 in holiness,^H6944 fearful^H3372 in praises,^H8416 doing^H6213 wonders?^H6382

Psa 35:10  All^H3605 my bones^H6106 shall say,^H559 LORD,^H3068 who^H4310 is like unto thee,^H3644 which deliverest^H5337 the poor^H6041 from him that is too strong^{H4480 H2389} for^H4480 him, yea, the poor^H6041 and the needy^H34 from him that spoileth^{H4480 H1497} him?

Psa 71:19  Thy righteousness^H6666 also, O God,^H430 is very^H5704 high,^H4791 who^H834 hast done^H6213 great things:^H1419 O God,^H430 who^H4310 is like unto thee!^H3644

Num. 13:13  Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.

1Chron. 5:13  And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven.

1Chron. 5:14  These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;

1Chron. 6:40  The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,

1Chron. 7:3  And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.

1Chron. 8:16  And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;

1Chron. 12:20  As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.

1Chron. 27:18  Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:

2Chron. 21:2  And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.

Ezra 8:8  And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.

Dan. 10:13  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.

Dan. 10:21  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.

Dan. 12:1  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.

Jude 1:9  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.

Rev. 12:7  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

“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.” (Dan. 10:21). Why is it that no one else (in heaven) understood “these things”, “these wonders (?)”, except Michael? Does a subordinate angel (as some believe Michael to be) know more of prophecy than Jesus? Or is Christ, “the Word” (Jn. 1:1), “the Word of life” (1Jn. 1:1), “the testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 12:17, cf 19:10; 1Pet. 1:10,11) in charge of prophecy? Is not Michael the precarnate Christ?

“And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river [see Matthew 14:25], How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” (Dan. 12:6-8).

Who did Daniel see in a vision in the context of Gabriel’s statement of Michael in Daniel 10:13? He saw Yahweh Elohim; he saw the precarnate Jesus before His divinity was clothed with humanity. Jesus was clothed in the same linen in both Dan. 10:5 and 12:7 and He knew the end of “these things”. Is there a link within this Daniel chapter 10 event? Should not we connect Michael to the powerful divine being who appeared to Daniel in answer to his fasting and prayer for Israel and Jerusalem, and who had just warned off Satan and his hosts from attempting to prevent the release of Israel from its 70 year captivity in Babylon, a release which would prepare for the commencement of the newly promised 70 week prophecy?

Why do we in Revelation 12:6-8 again see Michael and his angels in the great controversy against Satan and his angels, and not see Christ overcoming His great adversary, the devil? Only the Son is the Captain of the Lord's host who said to Joshua, “Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy” (Josh. 5:15). And Joshua did so. Is not Michael the holy Lord of hosts who “doeth according to his will in the army of heaven” (Dan. 4:35)? And does this scene in Revelation 12 give us an inside view of the battle Gabriel was up against with the “king of Persia” in Daniel 10:13 before the Son of God arrived (see also Isa. 14:4,12; Eze. 28:12-15)?

Is it not Christ who is like God, as no other? “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person” (Heb. 1:3)? He “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Col. 1:15)? Is not Michael the personal name for the precarnate Lord Jesus?

Prince

H8269 sar From H8323; a head person (of any rank or class):- captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord, ([-task-]) master, prince (ipal), ruler, steward.

H5057 nâgîyd, nâgid From H5046; a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstract plural), honorable themes: -captain, chief, excellent think, (chief) governor, leader, noble, prince, (chief) ruler.

Sar and nâgîyd are synonyms. Both describe the status of the heavenly commander against whom Satan’s earthly power attacks in Daniel 8 and 11.

Dan. 8:11  Yea, he magnified^H1431 himself even to^H5704 the prince^H8269 of the host,^H6635 and by^H4480 him the daily^H8548 sacrifice was taken away,^H7311 and the place^H4349 of his sanctuary^H4720 was cast down.^H7993

Dan. 8:25  And through^H5921 his policy^H7922 also he shall cause craft^H4820 to prosper^H6743 in his hand;^H3027 and he shall magnify^H1431 himself in his heart,^H3824 and by peace^H7962 shall destroy^H7843 many:^H7227 he shall also stand up^H5975 against^H5921 the Prince^H8269 of princes;^H8269 but he shall be broken^H7665 without^H657 hand.^H3027

Dan. 10:13  But the prince^H8269 of the kingdom^H4438 of Persia^H6539 withstood^{H5975 H5048} me one^H259 and twenty^H6242 days:^H3117 but, lo,^H2009 Michael,^H4317 one^H259 of the chief^H7223 princes,^H8269 came^H935 to help^H5826 me; and I^H589 remained^H3498 there^H8033 with^H681 the kings^H4428 of Persia.^H6539

Dan. 10:21  But^H61 I will shew^H5046 thee(^H853) that which is noted^H7559 in the scripture^H3791 of truth:^H571 and there is none^{H369 H259} that holdeth^H2388 with^H5973 me in^H5921 these things,^H428 but^{H3588 H518} Michael^H4317 your prince.^H8269

Dan. 11:22  And with the arms^H2220 of a flood^H7858 shall they be overflown^H7857 from before^{H4480 H6440} him, and shall be broken;^H7665 yea, also^H1571 the prince^H5057 of the covenant.^H1285

Dan. 12:1  And at that^H1931 time^H6256 shall Michael^H4317 stand up,^H5975 the great^H1419 prince^H8269 which standeth^H5975 for^H5921 the children^H1121 of thy people:^H5971 and there shall be^H1961 a time^H6256 of trouble,^H6869 such as^H834 never^H3808 was^H1961 since there was^{H4480 H1961} a nation^H1471 even to^H5704 that same^H1931 time:^H6256 and at that^H1931 time^H6256 thy people^H5971 shall be delivered,^H4422 every one^H3605 that shall be found^H4672 written^H3789 in the book.^H5612

Unlike the other visions of the book of Daniel, chapters 8 and 11 are two visions that speak to the same scenario. Both highlight three events: the usurpation of the Prince of princes in heaven by the exaltation of the man of sin, the destruction of the daily sacrifice by the establishment of the abomination of desolation, and the overthrow of the people of God and their captivity.

Dan. 8:10  And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

Dan. 8:11  Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.

Dan. 8:12  And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

Dan. 8:13  Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

Dan. 8:23  And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

Dan. 8:24  And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

Dan. 8:25  And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Dan. 11:18  After this shall he turn his face unto the isles [Julius Cæsar], and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.

Dan. 11:19  Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.

Dan. 11:20  Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom [Octavion Cæsar Augustus]: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

Dan. 11:21  And in his estate shall stand up a vile person [the papacy], to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

Dan. 11:22  And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

Dan. 11:23  And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

Dan. 11:24  He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time….

Dan. 11:30  For the ships of Chittim [the distant isles of the Gentiles] shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

Dan. 11:31  And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

Dan. 11:32  And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

Dan. 11:33  And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

Dan. 11:34  Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries....
Dan. 11:36  And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done....

Dan. 11:44  But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

Dan. 11:45  And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

Dan. 12:1  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.

The visions are modeled after the experience of Israel’s destitution because they worshiped other gods. But, the real meaning of the visions was to take place during the new dispensation, when the man of sin would rise up. Paul’s warning of this in 2 Thessalonians 2 came straight from Daniel 11:36, 45. So, we can confidently say that the little horn power of Daniel was not Antiochus Epiphanes, but was the Church of Rome and the 1260 year papal supremacy.

The Prince of princes, against whom the great red dragon stood up, was Christ in His heavenly sanctuary (see Heb. 8:1, 2; Rev. 5:5, 6; 8:3-5). This describes in figures the usurpation of Christ by the satanic Vicar of Christ, the wicked popes of Rome. The casting down of the sanctuary describes the replacement of the ministry of our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary by the Mass and its corrupting earthly priests; it shows Christ as a Prince and a Savior, giving repentance and forgiveness of sin, replaced by indulgences, penance, and the whole monstrous system of pagan absolution. The multitudinous hosts that were cast down and led into transgression describe the “falling away” of Christianity that took place shortly after the apostles died, and is taking place again with Protestantism right before our eyes.

Note that Christ holds the title of “Prince of princes” (Dan. 8:25), as in “King of kings”, and “Lord of lords.” (Rev. 19:16). He is the greatest Prince, with lesser great ones surrounding Him.

“Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” (Ps. 45:7). “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by [Me].” (Zech. 3:7). “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes.” (Rev. 5:6). Christ is “Michael,^H4317 one^H259 of the chief^H7223 princes,^H8269” (Dan. 10:13).

H259 ΄echâd a numeral from H258; properly united, that is, one; or (as an ordinal first: -a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any (-thing), apiece, a certain [dai-] ly, each (one), +eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together.

According to H259, Dan. 10:13 could also read, “First of the princes,” or, “Number one, the greatest of the princes.”

Connecting all of these verses together we see that “Michael^H4317… the great^H1419 prince^H8269” (Dan. 12:1) is “Michael,^H4317 one^H259 [or, first] of the chief^H7223  princes,^H8269” (Dan. 10:13). Why shouldn’t He also be “the Messiah^H4899 the Prince^H5057 ” (Dan. 9:25), “the Prince^H8269 of princes^H8269” (Dan. 8:25), “the prince^H5057 of the covenant^H1285 ”  (Dan. 11:22), the “prince^H8269 of the host^H6635” (Dan. 8:11), the “LORD of hosts” (Zech. 3:7), “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6)?