Discovering Michael

The archangel Michael was declared by Jesus Christ to be one of the chief princes in the kingdom of Persia (Daniel 10:13). We learn from scripture, especially from the book of Ester, that the laws of Media and Persia are inseparable, therefore, because scripture associates Media with the Ishmaelites, believers can conclude that the names of both Media and Persia are given to the forerunners of the Islamic faith (Genesis 37:28; Judges 7:12; Ester 10:2). Michael is the leader's name which represents the faithful believers of Islam, and he fights along with Christ, for Islam's inclusion in the everlasting kingdom (Daniel 10:21; 12:1; Revelation 12:7). Proof of this is  eluded to in the verse, "There is none that holdeth with me on these things, but Michael your prince (Daniel 10:21)."

The battle of heaven, is a battle over position, and the question is, Who is right? What religion is going to inherit the eternal rewards of the heavenly kingdom? "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19)." The answer to this question is found in a parable. This parable requires both the old and new testaments to find out its solution. Part of the parable is told in the book of Jude, and a more in-depth account of the parable is told in the book of Zachariah. Each account is a depiction of a heavenly quorum, and this quorum is deliberating the question, Who is right?

When working with parables it is important to understand that God groups like-minded believers together as one body of believers. In the quorum of these two parables, there are four bodies of believers present: those of the Jewish faith are called by two different names, the body of Moses, and the name of Joshua (1Corinthians 10:2). Those of the Islamic faith are represented by their prince's name, which is Michael; the priesthood is represented by the name of Satan; and Christians are represented by the presence of Jesus. The portrayal of these four bodies challenges believers to identify the four carpenters which are building Zion. Just identifying that four bodies are standing in heaven already suggests the answer to our question, yet there are very comforting answers found by delving deeper into the parable. Jude's account of the parable, reads: “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 (Jude 9).” Michael, the prince of Islam, is contending with Satan, whose name represents the priesthood. At issue is whether or not believers of the Jewish faith should be allowed to enter into the kingdom of God. Satan is an accuser of the brethren, and he has accused the body of Moses, and Michael is arguing that Jesus should rebuke these priests.

Zechariah's account of this parable, reads: “He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. The Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee (Zechariah 3:1-2).” In this account, Joshua's name represents people of the Jewish faith, and Joshua is standing before Christ, clad in filthy garments (Zechariah 3:3). Satan, whose name represents the priesthood, is accusing Joshua of his errors. Michael, who is referred to in this account as Lord, defends Joshua, arguing that Jesus should intervene and rebuke these priests. Michael’s presence is hidden, but it is understood by considering the parable as it was written in the new testament account. It takes both testaments to clarify the matter.

To grasp God's perspective on the matter, believers are to hear the rebuke that Christ gave against Satan. The real question plaguing the priesthood is this, Should all three of the faiths of Abraham's seed be included in the kingdom of God? Jesus answered the people that stood before him. “Take away his filthy garments from him. Unto Joshua he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of raiment… If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou will keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house (Zechariah 3:5-7).” This is a blow against every believer who has been falsely accusing people of other faiths. Jesus spoke and verified that the iniquities of men will be removed based upon their doing the will of the Father, rather than upon how they believed upon his name in this world (Zechariah 3:9).  "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name (Psalms 138:2)." 

Michael and the faithful believers of Islam who kept God's covenant will triumph over the dictates of kings, and over the accusations of religion (Genesis 17:10-14). Satan, the false accuser, will be cast out of heaven, until he learns to understand judgment, in other words, until he understands how to discern whether or not a man is serving the Lord God. "Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? Are not your ways unequal (Ezekiel 18:25)."  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord (Isaiah 55:8)."

"At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who 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 (Daniel 12:1)." Turning God's people away from their long standing religious beliefs isn't going to be easy. For this reason God will intervene, and his wrath will verify the words of his messengers; and the hearts of those who refused to believe the covenant message, will be changed.

"There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon: and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not: neither was their place found any more in heaven. The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Revelation 12:7-9).” Michael's name, which is the name that God placed upon faithful Muslims, will prevail before the Lord, and all the accusers which are against them will be cast out of God's presence!

End times are about God cleaning up the mistakes of every religion, including Islam. "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee: Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children shall make hast; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee (Isaiah 49:15-17)."