Taken from Questions for Jehovah’s Witnesses
ANSWER: This is certainly an inconsistent line of reasoning for a trinitarian to employ. To underscore that fact, Jehovah’s Witnesses merely have to turn the question around and ask the trinitarian: Where does it teach in the Bible that Jesus is part of a Trinity?
And the answer is, of course, nowhere – nowhere in the Bible can be found the word Trinity or triad or even the concept of three gods in one, or three persons in one god, or whatever the definition du jour is. Trinitarians reluctantly admit that fact. And although multitudes ardently believe that God is a triad of identical, co-equal personages, despite the fact the Scriptures do not support that concept, it is deemed heretical that Jehovah’s Witnesses believe and teach that Jesus was and is Michael, the chief angel of Jehovah’s heavenly army.
But the Scriptures do, in fact, strongly suggest that Michael is the same person as Jesus Christ. There is certainly more weight of evidence for it than for the Trinity. However, since God is obviously not an angel it is impossible for a person who has been indoctrinated with the Catholic Trinity to receive comprehendingly what the Scriptures actually say on this matter without first dislodging the Jesus-is-God delusion from their minds.
Consider, for instance, the fact that Jesus never – not even so much as once – claimed to be God. Scan the Gospels with a magnifying glass and you will not find one instance where Jesus stated that he himself was God – not one. On the contrary, Jesus used the expression “my God” in reference to his Father in heaven. In other words, Jesus has a God, someone whom he worships and obeys. In the 17th chapter of John Jesus referred to his heavenly Father as “the only true God.”
Trinitarians are forced to resort to contrived translations, such as in the case of John 8:58, where most trinitarian-produced translations simply transliterate the Greek expression “ego eimi” with no consideration of the context and then unjustifiably transpose it as a title – “I Am,” claiming it to be a direct quotation from Exodus 3:14, where Jehovah God said in the Greek Septuagint, “ego eimi ho on” – meaning: “I am the being.” However, Jesus did not say “ego eimi ho on.” He merely said: “ego eimi.” By turning the predicate into a proper noun John 8:58 is not even a complete sentence. It is a nonsensical phrase. No matter, appropriately the verse has been enshrined by trinitarians as the very bedrock and foundation of their belief that Jesus is God. A grammarian might justifiably conclude that Jesus was speaking in some sort of Hellenic Ebonics.
The indoctrinated trinitarian mind is forced to reject the most basic concepts of language. For example, every human who has ever lived has a father – someone who passed on life to him or her. If someone says they are the son of so-and-so, there is no confusion. Everyone understands the concept. Or, if a father says ‘this is my son,’ people do not have to consult with an expert in linguistics to determine what was meant. And if someone were to claim that they did not have a human father or that they were as old as their father, you might rightly suspect they had lost their mind.
Yet, when it comes to the trinitarian’s concept of Jesus, no discernable father/son relationship exists; this, in spite of the fact that over and over again Jesus referred to himself as the obedient son and to God as his Father. Just why God and Jesus are consistently portrayed as a father and son is considered an unexplainable mystery. Trinitarian scholars have been employed for centuries trying to explain the absurdity – concocting impressive, but nonsensical theories, like the hypostatic union.
The simple truth is: Jehovah is God and Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God. Everything else is from the Devil.
THE FIRSTBORN – THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION BY GOD
What does only-begotten mean? Jehovah God has always existed. That is why he is called the King of eternity. He is from everlasting to everlasting. He was never begotten or brought into existence. But like all sons, Jesus had a beginning. That is why the first verse in the Gospel of John says: “In the beginning.”
Revelation 3:14 confirms this sacred truth, saying, that, as God’s faithful witness Jesus is “the beginning of the creation by God.” Although not all translations render the verse with that phrase the Greek word used in that passage that is translated as “beginning” is the same word as used at John 1:1. Since, as already stated, God had no beginning, “the beginning” is in reference to the beginning of God’s creation.
Elsewhere, Jesus is explained to be the “firstborn of all creation.” Laughably, trinitarians claim that this does not mean that Jesus was the firstborn creature, but rather, he is merely the most prominent. They make this claim based upon the fact there are a couple of instances in the Bible where one who was not the actual firstborn son received the blessings entitled to the firstborn son, such as in the case of Jacob. But that is nonsensical claptrap, because, obviously, being firstborn only has meaning in relation to those who are also born, whether before or after. But in the case of God, he has no peers and he certainly was not born. Using the term of “firstborn” in any sense in relation to God is another meaningless absurdity embraced by trinitarians as if the very sacred secret of God.
Obviously, though, unlike God, creation has not always existed. Although it is humanly incomprehensible, God has always existed – alone in timelessness. But at some point, God determined to become the Creator; hence, “in the beginning.” (Note: “In the beginning” at Genesis 1:1 is in relation to the physical cosmos; whereas, John 1:1 is the ultimate beginning, which originated in the spirit dimension.)
And the spirit son who eventually came to the earth and was known as Jesus Christ had the privilege of being the very first creature that God created – “the firstborn of all creation.” Entitled “the Word,” by means of this firstborn son Jehovah created all other things. That is why the Scriptures say that all things were created by means of him or through him – indicating the Word was the agency that God utilized.
So, the firstborn of all creation was the only creature directly begotten, of fathered, by Jehovah God. What a privilege to be the firstborn of all creation and the only-begotten of Almighty God!
Although there are many other sons in heaven, they all came into existence through the firstborn and were not directly created by God. This is why we read in Genesis, for example, that God invited another to join him in the creation of man, saying: “let us make man in our image and likeness.” And, obviously, since the Word is also said to be made in the exact image and representation of God, the Son must also be divine; hence, a god by his very nature. It was this divine nature that the Word left behind when he became flesh.
It is explained in the 2nd chapter of Philippians that although the Son was in the very form and nature of God he did not seek equality with God, but instead emptied himself of his divinity and became human. Ironically, although trinitarians accuse Jehovah’s Witnesses of denying the divinity of Christ it was the prehumen Son of God himself who denied his own divinity when he forsook his life as a glorious spirit and left behind his privileged position in heaven, in order to have his perfect life miraculously transferred into human genetic code. During his 33 years on earth the Word did not exist.
With this foundation established the relationship between Jesus and Michael the archangel can be better understood.
Everything in creation has a name. Amazingly, the prophecy of Isaiah states that God has a name for each and every one of the countless stars in the vast universe. To be sure, the myriads of angels in heaven all have personal names too. For example, when a materialized spirit was once asked by the father of Sampson what his name was, the angel replied: “Just why should you ask about my name, when it is a wonderful one?”
We humans surely all have names. It is usually the first thing that is given a newborn babe by their parents. We even have names for our pets. And, of course, God himself has a name. It appears in the Hebrew text as four letters – YHWH. It has been translated into English as Jehovah and appears in the Bible almost 7,000 times.
When Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph an angel instructed his mother and stepfather to name the child “Jesus.” The name Jesus is a Hellenized form of the common Hebrew name Joshua, which itself is the shortened form of the name Jehoshua – meaning: “Jehovah is salvation.” (Using the name Jehovah, as opposed to “Yahweh” or some other variation, is consistent with the way numerous other Hebrew names are translated into English, many of which incorporated some aspect of the divine name, Jehoshua being merely one of dozens.)
The Bible teaches that Jesus came to the earth in order to give his life to make it possible for God to grant salvation to the dying race that has descended from Adam and Eve. But when God and his son made man in their image, they set before our original parents the opportunity to live forever. Humanity only came to be in need salvation after our original parents sinned against God. The point is, the firstborn Son of God would not have been originally named Jesus before he came down from heaven. Jesus is his earthly, Jewish name, and it appropriately highlights God’s purpose in connection with him; hence, Jehovah is salvation.
But the question is: What was Jesus’ heavenly name before the world was created? Surely he has one. After all, “the Word” is just a title. “Lord” is also merely a title that Jehovah and Jesus both bear. If everything and everyone else in the universe has a personal name, why is the only begotten Son of God nameless prior to his being given his earthly name? Actually, the Bible poses this very question in the 30th chapter of Proverbs: “Who has ascended to heaven that he may descend? Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of both hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in a mantle? Who has made all the ends of the earth to rise? What is his name and what the name of his son, in case you know?”
The truth is, the son is not left nameless. The evidence is abundant that Jesus’ heavenly name is Michael. Although simple-minded persons may refuse to believe it unless someone can produce a verse that explicitly states Jesus is Michael, by using our intelligence the connection can be discerned from the fact that all the things that are described in scripture as the sole prerogative of Jesus Christ are also attributed to either the great prince Michael or to an archangel.
(The latest deception being run by some trinitarians is that Jehovah changed his name to Jesus. This is simply another lie and easily disproved by anyone with a basic knowledge of the truth. As just one example, in Revelation the 14th chapter the 144,000 chosen ones are said to have two names written upon their foreheads; namely, both the name of the Lamb and the name of the Father. Furthermore, the Hebrew prophets make it clear that the personal name of God will be brought from obscurity to the fore during the revelation of Christ, so that all persons will be forced to know that Jehovah is God – Ironically, Jesus will be the enforcer.)
JESUS CHRIST – THE PRINCE OF PRINCES
The first mention of Michael is in the 10th chapter of Daniel, where he is described as merely one of the foremost heavenly princes, but who is standing in behalf of Daniel’s people as a protector and advocate. For the reason he is described as merely one of many princes and not the preeminent prince, as would seem to be the meaning of archangel, for this reason some have hastily jumped to the conclusion that this could not possibly be Jesus Christ. However, in the concluding words of the prophecy in the eighth chapter of Daniel the last human king stands up and challenges one who is entitled “the Prince of princes.”
It should be noted that Daniel is a series of interconnected prophecies that are intended to reveal the developments in the world that lead up to Jesus Christ securing his kingdom. And all the prophecies in Daniel conclude with Christ destroying God’s earthly enemies. For example, the second chapter reveals that God will set up a kingdom that will crush all earthly kingdoms and will rule forever. The seventh chapter relates how someone like a Son of man gains access to the Ancient of days and rulership and dignity are conferred upon him. There can be no question as to the identity of the Son of man – he being Jesus Christ. So, the Prince of princes must be the same as the Son of man.
The Prince of princes denotes the preeminent prince, does it not? A prince, of course, is the son of a king. Jesus also bears the titles of King of kings and Lord of lords. However, he does not bear the title of the God of gods. That designation is exclusively reserved for Jehovah God.
Now consider the opening verses of the 12th chapter of the prophecy of Daniel. It reads: “And during that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people. And there will certainly occur a time of distress such as has not been made to occur since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, every one who is found written down in the book.”
According to the context, the King of the north comes all the way to his end during the time of the end. The time of the end is also known as the conclusion of the system of things. Jesus explained that the conclusion would coincide with his return. Whereas, the other prophecies of Daniel depict the Son of Man and the Prince of princes annihilating the last human kingdom, the last chapter of Daniel reveals that Michael, the great prince and protector of God’s people, is the one who stands up against the king of the north.
What does it mean to “stand up” in this context? It means that he begins ruling. That is evident from the way that expression is used elsewhere in the prophecy of Daniel. For example, the seventh chapter relates how four huge beasts dominate the earth and they are said to be kingdoms that will “stand up.” In other words, they stand up to rule. Again, the eighth chapter concludes by saying that the Prince of princes “will stand up” and break the king of fierce countenance. As regards Alexander the great Daniel 11:3 says of him: “And a mighty king will certainly stand up and rule with extensive dominion and do according to his will.”
Clearly, to “stand up” means to rule as a king. In harmony with all the prophecies of Daniel, Michael standing up can only mean Jesus Christ coming in his kingdom. It is noteworthy that Daniel relates that Michael stands up during a time of distress such as never occurred in history. And, of course, Jesus Christ himself said that a great tribulation would occur such as has never occurred before, nor the likes of which will ever occur again. But just as in the case of Daniel, Jesus has assured us the tribulation will be cut short in order that some flesh may survive.
Why is it, though, that, in the tenth chapter of Daniel Michael is merely described as one of the foremost princes, whereas in the eighth chapter he is called the Prince of princes and the 12th chapter depicts him in the role previously assigned to the Son of man? The difference is, in the 10th chapter of Daniel Michael was revealed as being a supporter of Daniel’s people during their captivity in Persia. Obviously, though, that was before Christ came to the earth and was given all authority. It is history. But the prophecies in the eighth and 12th chapters of Daniel are in reference to the great prince at the time he takes up he is ruling authority over the world during the conclusion, in the future.
This change is noteworthy. Some trinitarian’s point to the letter of Jude, where Michael the archangel is said to have had a dispute with Satan the Devil regarding the disposition of Moses’ corpse. And because the letter says that Michael deferred to God’s authority, saying: ‘May God rebuke you,’ some use this account to say that this could not possibly be Jesus, since Christ had authority to rebuke the demons when he was upon earth. But such persons seem not to realize that Moses lived about 1,500 years before Christ; again, the son of God was not given full authority over heaven and earth until he came to the earth; specifically, when he was anointed at his baptism.
As an indication of the change in the authority the archangel possesses, the 12th chapter of Revelation reveals Michael leading all of God’s angels in the war against Satan and his angels. At that point in time not only does Michael have full authority to rebuke Satan he delivers a withering blow, booting him out of heaven – hurling he and his wicked legions down to the earth in a stunning defeat.
Honest reasoning persons have to ask why Jesus is not present in that scene. After all, Jesus is the seed of the woman who was foretold back in the Garden of Eden to be the one to crush the head of the serpent. Surely, Jesus is not going to delegate to any other angel or to any of the holy ones his privilege of destroying the one who brought about his torturous death when he was a man. And the ouster of Satan from heaven commences the short period of time before the demons and their king are put out of commission entirely by being thrown into the symbolic abyss.
When Jesus was upon the earth, through their tortured proxies, some demons spoke to Jesus and asked if he had come to destroy them or if he was there to throw them into the abyss. So, they recognized Jesus as the seed of the woman. Yet, in the 20th chapter of Revelation it relates that an angel comes down from heaven and seizes Satan and binds him with a chain and hurls him into the abyss. Again, where is Jesus in this scene? The answer ought to be obvious: Jesus is Michael the archangel – the destroyer of Satan.
Not only is Jesus commissioned to crush Satan, he is also authorized to perform the resurrection. In fact, Jesus referred to himself as “the resurrection and the life.” Back in the 12th chapter of Daniel, when Michael stands up, not only is it the end of Satan’s beastly system upon the earth, but the next verse states that there will be those asleep in the dust of the earth who will wake up. In other words, the resurrection will commence shortly after Michael begins ruling.
In his first letter to the Thessalonians, in the fourth chapter Paul wrote: “For this is what we tell you by Jehovah’s word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord shall in no way precede those who have fallen asleep in death; because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first.”
Why does Paul refer to Jesus waking the dead from their sleep with an archangel’s voice? Again, the only logical reason is because the apostle knew Jesus is Michael the archangel.
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