By Bob Cope
By Bob Cope
It is an established fact, that our Messiah, Yahuashuah, is the Holder of the Highest Office there is in all of creation. It is the Office of Kurios.
[Grk. 2962] kurios (koo'-ree-os)
from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.It is also a fact that he holds many other offices as well. Some of them are:
- Counselor, Prince Of Peace (Isa 9:6)
- Apostle and High Priest after the Order of Melchisedec. (Heb 3:1; 7:17)
- Saviour
- Prophet (Lk 24:19)
- Physician (Mt 9:12)
There may be as high as 593 offices that are his!
Recently, I have become aware of one of his offices—that many wrongly deny even exists. There was a time when I also vigorously denied it. But I came to realize recently, that, I was just following along in the same rut that practically every Christian thoughtlessly travels in. I figured that, as long as the pastor approved, whatever we believed jointly, was hunky-dory. If he didn't approve, then, something must be wrong with the doctrine. Then as time went by, I learned that the pastor was not Superman and that he could and often DID make doctrinal errors. that's when I realized the importance of knowing the truth for myself, not the pastor; so I'd better get busy and seek it out from God's word first hand.
That is what I have been doing for the past 17 years. It has led me to the realization that the Greek word, archaggelos, (which is translated archangel in English), is not a classification for a particular type of celestial creature, but rather, it is an Official Title and Office for One Specific Individual. I'll identify who that particular individual is, a little further along.
Traditional teaching says that there are more than one archangel. There is Michael, but Protestants and Roman Catholics mistakenly claim there's another named Gabriel; and I seem to remember from catechism class (I am a former Roman Catholic) that Roman Catholicism adds a Raphael, and a Uriel as well. The book of Enoch, an ancient book which is not included as part of our Bible, gives the names of some seven archangels! They are Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Sarakiel, Gabriel, and Phanuel.
Well, it doesn't matter; the Protestant, Catholic, and apocryphal teaching in that area are not in agreement with what the Scriptures teach; so, they're all wrong.
The Scriptures teach that there are seven aggelos [angels] which shall pour out the seven cups of God's wrath upon the earth. Notice the word of God says "seven angels," not seven archangels. (Rev. 15:1)
There is only one archaggelos in the Scriptures. An archaggelos also is not a species of celestial creature, it is a singular type of celestial office or official.
What one has to realize, is that the Greek word aggelos, defined in English, simply means messenger. Making an aggelos to be a specific class of supernatural creature is to go beyond the Scriptures, and teach man-made traditions which are nothing but error.
[Grk. 32] aggelos (ang'-el-os)
from aggello (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger.The Greek word, archaggelos, or archangel, in English; simply means Chief Messenger. Strong wasn't consistent in retaining the word messenger when he defined the word archaggelos. If aggelos means messenger, adding the word arch, modifies the definition of the word aggelos [messenger] to Chief Messenger. Therefore, the word archaggelos, properly translated is Chief Messenger.
[Grk. 743] archaggelos (ar-khang'-el-os)
from 757 and 32; a chief angel:--archangel.There is only one Chief Messenger of YAHUAH the Father, to be found in the Scriptures. The word archaggelos is singular, not plural. By actually translating the word aggelos to the English word messenger, rather than transliterating it as the word angel, we can plainly see that it really is an office rather than a species of celestial creature.
Look, we can no more make a messenger out to be a particular species of celestial creature, any more than we can make the mailman out to be a certain species of human being! There are thousands of mailmen, but only one Chief Mailman—who happens to be the Postmaster General. Does that make it any clearer for you?
There are only two places in all of the Bible where the word, transliterated archangel, appears. They are:
1Th 4:16 "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:"
and
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."In Jude 1:9, the Chief Messenger is named, and that name is Michael.
[Heb. 4317] Miyka'el (me-kaw-ale')
from 4310 and (the prefix derivative from) 3588 and 410; who (is) like God?; Mikael, the name of an archangel and of nine Israelites:--Michael.But in 1Th 4:16, there is something there, that ought not to go unnoticed. Read it carefully and follow along as I point out what that something is.
Notice that it is the Lord himself who descends.
He descends from heaven with a shout.
the Lord himself shouts with the voice of the Chief Messenger (archangel) and with the Trump of God.
The purpose and result of the shout is the raising of the dead in Messiah first.
The purpose of the Trump is to call to assembly, the living in Messiah. Trumpets, or Bugles, are blown to assemble the troops. Military servicemen know this.
Who alone shall call the dead in Messiah to life en masse?"And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (Joh 5:27-29)
John 5:27-28 in no way conflicts with 1Th 4:16-17. Messiah shall cause all that are in the graves, to be resurrected. Some to the resurrection of life, and others to resurrection of judgment <krisis>.
[Grk. 2920] krisis (kree'-sis)
decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law):--accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.The reason there's no conflict, is because Paul was writing to believers—saved people who needed only to be told that they would be taken up in the air to meet Christ Jesus as he was coming back to the earth. That meeting is for the purpose of getting the saints out of the way of the vengeance of Christ upon the wicked. This is no secret rapture for Christians only, it is the parousia...
[Grk. 3952] parousia (par-oo-see'-ah)
from the present participle of 3918; a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Messiah to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect:--coming, presence....the advent of Christ, and all in the graves are raised at that time. The secret rapture is a religious fable. Christians shall still be on the earth during the great tribulation, but not during the wrath of God which follows it. The wrath of God occurs at the Advent of Christ, not earlier, during the great tribulation. The following verses prove it.
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of Yahushuah the Messiah: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." (2Th 1:7-10)
"For the wrath of Elohim is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;" (Ro 1:18)
Here is an interesting complimentary comparison, that I believe further cements the fact that Michael is simply one of Offices of Yahuahshuah;
"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of YAHUAH, and Yahushuah standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of YAHUAH." (Ac 7:55-56)
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: [Israel] 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. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
(Da 12:1-3)I want you to notice that, in the verses above, it says, "...the great prince...." meaning there is only one great prince, and he shall remain the great prince until crowned King of kings and Lord of lords. Now, look at this next verse!
"Him hath YAHUAH exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." (Ac 5:31)
Would you agree with me that Yahuashuah the Messiah is the only one legitimately entitled to the singular title of great prince?
Michael, alone, shall fight against Satan and prevail. The other messengers under Michael's command shall fight against Satan's messengers and prevail. Satan and his messengers shall be cast out of heaven. Only Michael has the power to fight against Satan; not Michael's messengers. Michael's messengers are not going to help Michael fight Satan either. They shall have their hands full fighting Satan's messengers, and besides, Michael needs no help.
I am certain that in his role as Commander In Chief of the Heavenly Host, Yahushuah the Messiah officiates as Michael, the Chief Messenger. Michael is not a species of celestial creature under the command of Christ Jesus; this Michael is none other than Yahuashuah taking the office of Michael for the purpose of commanding and winning the war in heaven. In order to engage battle, our Saviour cannot go in his name, which in Hebrew is Yahushua and means 'Yahuah saves.' Ministers are not sent into battle to do battle in their ministerial capacity. Yahuashua is the Minister of salvation to all and cannot do battle in that office and so he has to put that title aside for a short while and assume the title or office of Michael in order to do battle. Understand?
Now, if anyone can show me that Michael is not simply a title, or office, and another of the great names assigned solely to Yahuashuah, after reading this article, I'm all ears! I warmly welcome genuine correction. Before you do though, let me say that the following verses are not legitimate proof. I have considered them as I was writing this. There is some fine detail in them that must not go unnoticed.
"Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?" (Heb 1:4-5)
First of all, an archaggelos is so much better than a mere aggelos!
Secondly, Michael is a more excellent name than any that the aggelos have!
"But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Heb 1:13)
Michael is not the name of an angel, it is the name of the archangel, therefore the verses from Hebrews 1:4-5 and 13 do not apply!
Michael, the great prince, according to the Scriptures (Da 12:1), shall stand up! That means he shall have been seated previously. Seated on WHAT? A THRONE! Remember now, he is called "THE great prince." The word, "the" means, the only one great prince there is!
That also means also there is only one throne in heaven that he could have been seated upon, the Throne of his Father!
Are There Other Archangels?
You know, as I stated before, some believe that Gabriel is also an archaggelos, but that is just another wrong teaching from the Roman Catholic Church. As I wrote above, they also believe that there is a Raphael [and I was taught of a Uriel in catechism, whom, they taught, is also an archangel.
Below are all the references to Gabriel in the Bible. In one verse, he is called "a man" while, in another, he is merely an "angel;" not an archangel. The name Gabriel means "man of EL." Strong erred below in calling Gabriel an archangel.
[Heb. 1403] Gabriy'el (gab-ree-ale') from 1397 and 410; man of God; Gabriel, an archangel:--Garbriel.
"And I heard a man's voice between [the banks of] Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this [man] to understand the vision." (Da 8:16)
"Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation."
(Da 9:21)
"And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of Elohim; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings." (Lu 1:19)"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from Elohim unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth," (Lu 1:26)
Look at 1Th 4:16; It says, "...with the voice of the archangel, [not archangels] and with the trump [not trumps] of Elohim:" It's one archangel. ONLY ONE.
"For the Messiah himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the dead in Messiah shall rise first:" 1Th 4:16
Contrary to popular tradition, The Gabriel references could be to two different Gabriel's: one in Daniel's day, and one in Mary's day! And they don't have to be a celestial being either! Standing "in the presence of Elohim" could have had to do with the Temple in Jerusalem. The Lord was there. (Luke 1:7-12) In that sense, any Jewish High Priest named Gabriel, could have stood in the presence of Elohim, and the reference would therefore legitimately apply to one such as that. I'm not saying that is what happened, I'm only saying that under these circumstances, it's possible.
Ok, so in Daniel, he was "caused to fly swiftly." Hmmm, it still sounds human to me! Celestials don't have to be "caused" to fly, they can do that on their own, after all, they're spirits!
Philip was supernaturally removed from one place to another:
"And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of Elohim caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea." (Ac 8:39-40)
Philip was sent by the messenger of Elohim to speak to the Ethiopian man; therefore, having been sent, made Philip, an aggelos (messenger).
¶ And the angel of Elohim spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. (Ac 8:26)
Alright, I have digressed, but now I am going to return to the main point, which has to do with the Offices of Yahuashuah.
I firmly believe, that by reason of the evidence presented above, Yahuashuah owns and is the sole occupant of the office of archangel, far better translated as the Chief Messenger.
The meaning of the name Michael, is actually a statement; and that statement is, "Who is like El." There is only one answer to that; that answer being, Yahuashuah! He IS like El! He is the very image and likeness of El.
The Jehovah Witnesses believe that Jesus is Michael the Archangel, but they are wrong because they see the archangel, and angels as particular types of celestial creatures, with the names archangel and angel as identifiers of the kind of creature.
Pay close attention now, to the big difference in the way I see it:
I believe that Michael, the meaning of that name being very appropriately descriptive of Yahuashuah. And the fact that YAHUAH the Father sends Yahuashuah, it means that Yahuashuah is therefore a messenger; but not just any ordinary messenger, He's the Sole Chief Messenger—the archaggelos of YAHUAH The Father.
The following verses prove that he shall be sent. Get this: When someone sends you, you are their aggelos or angel (messenger).
See in these verses how Yahuashuah is God's messenger!
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of YAHUAH; And he shall send Yahuashuah the Messiah, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which YAHUAH hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
(Ac 3:19-21)I hope that what I've written here is clear enough for all to grasp. If not, please email me and I will attempt to further clarify it for you.