Please note that if there was one reason more than another why the Watchtower produced the New World Translation, it was not to uphold the deity of Christ or the Trinity. However, the truth is still in the very translation. (All the verses given below are from the NWT unless otherwise stated)
There are few direct texts used by JW’s to show that Christ is a created being. Lets see what happens if we allow the bible to explain itself!
Christ is called the only begotten [monogenes] Son (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9). Is it a literal begetting of Jesus?
Christ is called only begotten:
Isaac is also called only begotten:
Christ is called the first born of all creation (Colossians 1:15). Is he the first created?
Christ is called the first born:
David is also called the firstborn:
Christ is firstborn in the sense of pre-eminence or sovereign and first in all things
See also First is not first!!!!
Gen 41:50-52 And before the year of the famine arrived there were born to Joseph two sons, whom As´e·nath the daughter of Pot·i´phe·ra the priest of On bore to him. 51 So Joseph called the name of the firstborn Ma·nas´seh, because, to quote him, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all the house of my father.” 52 And the name of the second he called E´phra·im
First in time was Ma·nas´seh, but God says E´phra·im is my firstborn
Jer 31:9 For I have become to Israel a Father; and as for E´phra·im, he is my firstborn
Firstborn was Esau
Gen 25:25-26 And after that his brother came out and his hand was holding onto the heel of E´sau; so he called his name Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old at her giving them birth.
First in time was Esau, but God says Jacob (called Israel) is my firstborn
Ex 4:22 And you must say to Phar´aoh, ‘This is what Jehovah has said: “Israel is my son, my firstborn.
In these cases the time element “first” was deleted. Important was only the special rank and dignity of the person called the “firstborn.” In the case of Jesus, this term also refers to his exalted position and not to a point of time at which he was born.
Is Christ the firborn from the dead literally?
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that he might become the one who is first in all things;
Chirst is not the first to rise from dead, others preceded:
1 Kings 17:22 Finally Jehovah listened to E·li´jah’s voice, so that the soul of the child came back within him and he came to life.
Jude 9 But when Mi´cha·el the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body
Matthew 17:3, 4 And, look! there appeared to them Moses and E·li´jah, conversing with him.
Some say that Moses and Elijah appeared in a vision and not literally. What does the bible say? Was it a vision or we they awake?
Luke 9:32 Now Peter and those with him were weighed down with sleep; but when they got fully awake they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
The usage firstborn is not first in time is further proved by the fact that Christ is not the first to rise from dead and live eternally.
Now JW's believe no one in the Old Testament has ever gone to heaven. (Please the article Christ in spirit form)
Christ is called the beginning of the creation in Revelation 3:14. Does that mean Christ has a beginning?
Rev 3:14 And to the angel of the congregation in La·o·di·ce´a write: These are the things that the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God.
Revelation 21:6 And he said to me: “They have come to pass! I am the Al´pha and the O·me´ga, the beginning and the end. To anyone thirsting I will give from the fountain of the water of life free.
Jehovah says in Revelation 21:6 that He is the beginning. Does that mean Jehovah has a beginning and he is also created?
God is from time indefinite:
Psalm 93:2 Your throne is firmly established from long ago;You are from time indefinite.
Jesus is from time indefinite
Micah 5:9 And you, O Beth´le·hem Eph´ra·thah, the one too little to get to be among the thousands of Judah, from you there will come out to me the one who is to become ruler in Israel, whose origin is from early times, from the days of time indefinite.
Christ is from early times. God is also from long ago. Christ is from time indefinite, and so is God who is from time indefinite.
This question is derived from the booklet, "Should we believe in the Trinity?" On page 13 of the booklet, in the section entitled, "Not a plural God," we read the following comment:"That is why nowhere in the Bible is anyone but Jehovah called the Almighty. Otherwise, it voids the meaning of the word ‘almighty.' Neither Jesus nor the holy spirit is ever called that, for Jehovah alone is supreme."
We are most interested in the point that Jesus is never called the "Almighty" in the entire bible. We therefore refer you to the following text:
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Al´pha and the O·me´ga,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.”
Clearly, he who is Alpha and Omega, and who is also "the Almighty" is "Jehovah God" himself.
Now we direct your attention to verse 12 and beyond, which read:
Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me, and, having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands someone like a son of man, clothed with a garment that reached down to the feet, and girded at the breasts with a golden girdle.
Now we read of another voice that John heard speaking, which said, "What you see, write in a scroll..." -verse 11. This voice, when John turns to see him, he sees one "like unto a son of man."
Now notice the context from here on... from verses 14 through 16 he is describing how this "son of man" looked.
Now this same son of man says in verses 17 and 18..."...And he laid his right hand upon me and said: ‘Do not be fearful. I am the First and the Last, and the living one; and I became dead, but, look! I am living forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."
We notice, that the "son of man" is the same person who, according to verse 17 and 18, is the "First and the Last" and who also "became dead."
Who else is this but Jesus Christ, who is constantly referred to through scripture as the "son of man" and who "became dead."
You have to say that the one speaking in verses 17 and 18 is Jesus, because you do not believe God can die.
Now if it is true that this is Jesus, how is it that he is also called the First and the Last, which is the same as the Alpha and the Omega?
And since God is the one claiming to be the "Alpha and Omega" in verse 8, Jesus Christ, who also claims this title in verses 17 and 18, must therefore be the same one who spoke in verse 8 and he who spoke in verse 8 said that he is the "Almighty."
There is another reason to believe that the one speaking in verse 8 is the same person who speaks in verses 17 and 18. Verse 8 says that Jehovah God is the one... "who is coming."
There is another verse which also shows that God is the one coming:
Revelation 22:6-7 There words are faithful and true, yes, Jehovah the God of the inspired expressions of the prophets sent his angel forth to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And, look! I am coming quickly.
Take note that it is "Jehovah the God" who is "coming quickly." Also note that this same Jehovah God, who is coming quickly, sent forth "his angel."
Now read verse 12:
"Look! I am coming quickly and the reward I give is with me, to render each one as his work is. I am Alpha and Omega, and first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Again, reading down from verse 6 through 12 we note that God again says that he is coming quickly, and also that he is Alpha and Omega.
Now read the rest of the chapter, and note carefully verse 20, which reads:"He that bears witness of these things says, ‘Yes; I am coming quickly.' Amen! Come, Lord Jesus."
We now find, that he who we have seen is coming quickly in Revelation 1:8, in Revelation 22:6-7 and in Revelation 22:12, claiming to be the "Alpha and Omega" and claiming to be the one who sends" his angel" is none other then Jesus Christ according to verse 20!
Let us now see how it is "Jesus" who" sends forth his angel... read verse 16:"I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to you people of these things for the congregations." -verse 16
We therefore note the following parallels:
God claims Alpha and Omega which also means the first and the last
Rev 22:13 I am the Al´pha and the O·me´ga, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Isaiah 44:6 This is what Jehovah has said, the King of Israel and the Repurchaser of him, Jehovah of armies, ‘I am the first and I am the last, and besides me there is no God.
Isia 48:12 Listen to me, O Jacob, and you Israel my called one. I am the same One. I am the first. Moreover, I am the last.
Is 41:4 Who has been active and has done [this], calling out the generations from the start? “I, Jehovah, the First One; and with the last ones I am the same.”
Jesus claims First and the Last which also means the Alpha and Omega
Rev. 2:8 And to the angel of the congregation in Smyr´na write: These are the things that he says, ‘the First and the Last,’ who became dead and came to life [again]
Rev1:17 And when I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet. And he laid his right hand upon me and said: “Do not be fearful. I am the First and the Last
God is coming quickly
Rev 1:8, 226-7, 22:12 “‘Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is.
Jesus is coming quickly
Rev 22:20 He that bears witness of these things says, ‘Yes; I am coming quickly.’” “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”
God says he send ‘his’ angel
Rev 22:6 And he said to me: “These words are faithful and true; yes, Jehovah the God of the inspired expressions of the prophets sent his angel forth to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place.
Jesus says I send ‘my’ angel
Rev 22:16 “‘I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to YOU people of these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star.’”
Further:
God’s appearance (Head, Face, and Feet)
Daniel 7:9 “I kept on beholding until there were thrones placed and the Ancient of Days sat down. His clothing was white just like snow, and the hair of his head was like clean wool. His throne was flames of fire; its wheels were a burning fire.
Jesus’ appearance (Head, Face, and Feet)
Rev 1:14-16 Moreover, his head and his hair were white as white wool, as snow, and his eyes as a fiery flame; and his feet were like fine copper when glowing in a furnace; and his voice was as the sound of many waters.
God – voice was as the sound of vast waters
Ezekiel 43:2 And, look! the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the direction of the east, and his voice was like the voice of vast waters; and the earth itself shone because of his glory.
Jesus - voice was as the sound of many waters
Rev 1:15 Moreover, his head and his hair were white as white wool, as snow, and his eyes as a fiery flame; 15 and his feet were like fine copper when glowing in a furnace; and his voice was as the sound of many waters.
God said - place where you are standing is holy ground
Ex 3:5 Then he said: “Do not come near here. Draw your sandals from off your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground.” And he went on to say: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses concealed his face, because he was afraid to look at the [true] God.
Michael (Jesus) said - place where you are standing is holy ground
Joshua 5:15 In turn the prince of the army of Jehovah said to Joshua: “Draw your sandals from off your feet, because the place on which you are standing is holy.” At once Joshua did so.
Bible is clear no man has seen God
Exodus 33:20 And he added: “You are not able to see my face, because no man may see me and yet live.”
John 1:18 No man has seen God at any time; the only-begotten god who is in the bosom [position] with the Father is the one that has explained him.
I Timothy 6:16 The one alone having immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom not one of men has seen or can see. To him be honor and might everlasting. Amen.
I John 4:12 At no time has anyone beheld God. If we continue loving one another, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.
I John 4:20 If anyone makes the statement: “I love God,” and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen.
No man has seen or can see God, however God appeared (was seen) in the Old Testament
Gen. 32:30 Hence Jacob called the name of the place Pe·ni´el, because, to quote him, “I have seen God face to face and yet my soul was delivered.”
Gen 17:1 When A´bram got to be ninety-nine years old, then Jehovah appeared to A´bram and said to him: “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and prove yourself faultless.
Gen 18:1 Afterward Jehovah appeared to him among the big trees of Mam´re, while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent about the heat of the day.
Bible says no man has seen God and yet God appeared face to face. Who was it that no man has seen? Let the bible explain!
John 6:46 Not that any man has seen the Father, except he who is from God; this one has seen the Father
John 5:37 Also, the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. YOU have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his figure
Therefore it is God the Father that no man has seen! Jehovah who appeared (was seen) in the Old Testament has to be God the Son! (See http://everlasting-gospel.blogspot.com/2008/07/christ-in-ot.html)
Some still say God appeared only in a vision and not face to face. What does the bible say?
Num 12:6-8 And he went on to say: “Hear my words, please. If there came to be a prophet of YOURS for Jehovah, it would be in a vision I would make myself known to him. In a dream I would speak to him. Not so my servant Moses! He is being entrusted with all my house. Mouth to mouth I speak to him, thus showing him, and not by riddles; and the appearance of Jehovah is what he beholds. Why, then, did YOU not fear to speak against my servant, against Moses?”
Ex 6:2-3 And God went on to speak to Moses and to say to him: “I am Jehovah. 3 And I used to appear to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty, but as respects my name Jehovah I did not make myself known to them.
11) Worship Jesus
a) “Proskuneo” used 58 times in the NT could be translated as prostrate or bowing. However, the context decides the interpretation.
b) Falling down accompanies worshiping ( not obeisance based on the context)
Rev 19:10
Acts 10:25, 26
Matt 28:9
Joshua 5:14, 15
Rev 4:10
Rev 5:8
Rev 5:14
At that I fell down before his feet to worship him. But he tells me: “Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus. Worship God; for the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying.”
As Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet and did obeisance to him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying: “Rise; I myself am also a man.”
And, look! Jesus met them and said: “Good day!” They approached and caught him by his feet and did obeisance to him.
To this he said: “No, but I—as prince of the army of Jehovah I have now come.” With that Joshua fell on his face to the earth and prostrated himself and said to him: “What is my lord saying to his servant?”
the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated upon the throne and worship the One that lives forever and ever, and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.”
And when he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp and golden bowls that were full of incense, and the [incense] means the prayers of the holy ones.
And every creature that is in heaven and on earth and underneath the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, I heard saying: “To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.” 14 And the four living creatures went saying: “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
c)
1) Lamb is in the MIDST of the throne Rev. 7.15-17 That is why they are before the throne of God; and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down upon them nor any scorching heat, 17 because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”
2) One Throne (singular) Rev. 22.1-3 And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of its broad way. And on this side of the river and on that side [there were] trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees [were] for the curing of the nations.
3 And no more will there be any curse. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in [the city], and his slaves will render him sacred service;
3) Christ at the right hand or standing of the Father?
Heb 1:3 He is the reflection of [his] glory and the exact representation of his very being, and he sustains all things by the word of his power; and after he had made a purification for our sins he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty in lofty places. Act 7:56 and he said: “Look! I behold the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing at God’s right hand.” Not a posture, co executive.
3) Rev 5:8 And when he (lamb) took the scroll, the twenty four elders fell down before the lamb.
4) Rev 5:13 To the One sitting on the throne and to the lamb. And the four living creatures and the elders fell down and worshiped.
d) Rev 14:7 saying in a loud voice: “FEAR God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.” Worship the One who made the heaven and the earth.
I Cor. 8:6
Heb 1:2,3
Jn1:3
Eph 3:9
Col 1:16,17
there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him.
has at the end of these days spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things. 3 He is the reflection of [his] glory and the exact representation of his very being, and he sustains all things by the word of his power; and after he had made a purification for our sins he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty in lofty places.
All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.
What has come into existence
and should make men see how the sacred secret is administered which has from the indefinite past been hidden in God, who created all things.
because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist,
1) If Jesus were the creator of all (other) things, why did not the gospel writer also make this clear in all the OTHER texts that refer to Jesus being the creator of EVERYTHING? I Cor. 8:6 etc.
11) Only true God? Yes Isaiah 45:5,6,14 no other God.
1 or 2 God? A god like satan, angel,humans? Isa 9:6 God, not god. 2 are God.
12) Only true God (John17:3) means no possibility plurality? This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.
1) Only owner and Lord, Jesus (Jude 4, 1 Cor. 8:6) My reason is that certain men have slipped in who have long ago been appointed by the Scriptures to this judgment, ungodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct and proving false to our only Owner and Lord, Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 8:6 there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him.
2) Jesus not only, Father is also Lord (Deut 10:17For Jehovah YOUR God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the God great, mighty and fear-inspiring, who treats none with partiality nor accepts a bribe, Mattew 11:25 At that time Jesus said in response: “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to babes. )
13) 1 Cor 12:3 Therefore I would have YOU know that nobody when speaking by God’s spirit says: “Jesus is accursed!” and nobody can say: “Jesus is Lord!” except by holy spirit. Lord = Kyrios NW restored name Jehovah 237 from Kyrios. If consistent, Jehovah.
14) 1 Sam. 2.2 Ps. 22.2-3 There is no one holy like Jehovah, for there is no one but you;And there is no rock like our God. 1 Cor.10:4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they used to drink from the spiritual rock-mass that followed them, and that rock-mass meant the Christ. ETERNAL ROCK
15) Man? John 17:1 – man Gabriel Dan 9:21
16) Only true God – John 17:3 Ex 13:21 And Jehovah was going ahead of them in the daytime in a pillar of cloud to lead them by the way, and in the nighttime in a pillar of fire to give them light to go in the daytime and nighttime. Ex 14:19
10) The Father’s Kingdom- 1 Chron. 29:11Yours, O Jehovah, are the greatness and the mightiness and the beauty and the excellency and the dignity; for everything in the heavens and in the earth is [yours]. Yours is the kingdom, O Jehovah, the One also lifting yourself up as head over all. Matt. 6.13 Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. 10 Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth. Eph. 5.5For YOU know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no fornicator or unclean person or greedy person—which means being an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and of God. 2 Peter 1.11 In fact, thus there will be richly supplied to YOU the entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thine is the Kingdom Is also Christ’s kingdom
10)
Does that mean Jesus is not all knowing in the scriptures?
Mark 13:32: Jesus' statement that He did not know the time of His return is to be explained by His voluntary acceptance of the humble form and likeness of a man (Phil. 2:7); in fact as God Jesus did know all things (John 16:30).
GOD IS ALL KNOWING
1 John 3:20 as regards whatever our hearts may condemn us in, because God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.
Christ knows all things 1 Cor. 1:24 however, to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. John 16:30 Now we know that you know all things and you do not need to have anyone question you. By this we believe that you came out from God.” John 21:17 (Peter said to Jesus) He said to him the third time: “Simon son of John, do you have affection for me?” Peter became grieved that he said to him the third time: “Do you have affection for me?” So he said to him: “Lord, you know all things; you are aware that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him: “Feed my little sheep.
According to 1 Corinthians 11:3 is Christ not God?
1 Corinthians 11:3, But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God.
head of Christ is God." the head of the woman is man. "Does this mean that the husband is a superior being to his wife?" "No." The husband is greater than his wife by way of position but not by nature. The same applies to the Father and the Son. The Father is greater by position, but not better by nature John 14:28 YOU heard that I said to YOU, I am going away and I am coming [back] to YOU. If YOU loved me, YOU would rejoice that I am going my way to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am.the Father is greater than I."
The term greater refers to position, not nature. The term better refers to nature.
Philippians 2:6-8 who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men. 8 More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake. that Christ though He was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied Himself and submitted Himself to the Father and took on the form of a servant. If Jesus wanted to say He was inferior to God in nature, He would have said, "The Father is better than I." Hebrews 1:4 (NAS); it says speaking of Jesus, So he has become better than the angels, to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs.
‘My God’!
John 20:17; Rom. 15:6; 1 Cor. 15:24; 2 Cor. 1;3; Rev. 1:6; 3:12: Jesus calls the Father "My God" because He is still man as well as God; note the distinction between "My God" and "your God" in John 20:17 (i.e., Jesus never speaks of "our God" including Himself with the disciples). My beloved son
Jesus say in Mark 10:17-18 that he is not good? Does it mean that he is denying being God?
In Mark 10:17-18 Jesus does not deny being God, but simply tells the man that he has no business calling anyone "good" in an unqualified sense except God.
Bible says God cannot be tempted. But since Jesus was he cannot be God?
Heb. 5:14: Jesus was tempted, cf. James 1:13; but note that Jesus did not sin John 5:19.
God cannot die so how can Jesus die if he is God?
1 Tim. 1:17: God cannot die, but Jesus did, e.g., Phil. 2:8; but note that no one could take Jesus' life from Him, He could not remain dead, and He raised Himself: John 10:18; Acts 2:24; John 2:19-22
Does 1 Jn 4:8 shed light to Godhead?
He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love. The very fact that God is said to be love (1 John 4:8) implies that there must be a plurality within the Godhead since love can only exist in a relationship between different beings.
Concerning Daniel 10:13; This is an interesting problem that I have had to grapple with. However, when we start looking at more and more verses of the Bible, the problem disappears. Lets look into this.
Michael is one of the chief princes.
Michael, one of the chief princes, Daniel 10:13 But the prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days, and, look! Mi´cha·el, one of the foremost princes, came to help me; and I, for my part, remained there beside the kings of Persia.
Michael is also our prince! Michael your prince. Daniel 10:21 However, I shall tell you the things noted down in the writing of truth, and there is no one holding strongly with me in these [things] but Mi´cha·el, the prince of YOU people.
If Michael is our prince, then maybe, the other prince or princes are not our prince! And Michael is the great prince that protects God's people. Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people Daniel 12:1 And during that time Mi´cha·el 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.
Michael is not just a prince, He is the great prince! Maybe, the other prince does not protect God's people.
Michael and his angels the dragon fought and his angels. Revelation 12:7 And war broke out in heaven: Mi´cha·el and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled
If Michael is the great prince who protects the children of thy people, it is quite possible that the other prince is our enemy.
thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Ezekiel 28:17 I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13-14. As for you, you have said in your heart, ‘To the heavens I shall go up. Above the stars of God I shall lift up my throne, and I shall sit down upon the mountain of meeting, in the remotest parts of the north. 14 I shall go up above the high places of the clouds; I shall make myself resemble the Most High.’
This is interesting. Apparently, Jesus did not stick out as being one of the Godhead. So, Lucifer was able to think that he might be better than Jesus. When Jesus was on earth, He looked like any other man, yet He was God. It is quite possible that the same thing happened when He was among the angels in heaven. Michael was probably there as an angel to show the other angels what God was like. Just like when He came to earth as a man to show us the Father and die for our sins. This apparently was necessary since there were some angels who chose to rebel against God. When Jesus was on earth, God proclaimed "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17 Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.”
It is quite possible Satan declares himself to be a prince, But it is God who declares Jesus to be the real prince. "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!" the ruler of this world will be cast out. John 12:31 the ruler of this world. Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air Ephesians 2:1-3 Furthermore, [it is] YOU [God made alive] though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and sins, 2 in which YOU at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.
So Satan is called a prince. 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. Daniel 10:13.
But the prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days, and, look! Mi´cha·el, one of the foremost princes, came to help me; and I, for my part, remained there beside the kings of Persia.
Here we have the angel Gabriel, who came to fight the prince of Persia. Apparently this prince withstood him for 21 days until Michael came to help him. Could this have been an earthly prince? I don't think so. In the Bible, we see thousands of people destroyed by just one angel. Gabriel was fighting someone more substantial than just a human, I believe that Gabriel was fighting the enemy prince, Satan. ‘Jehovah said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet”’? Matthew 22:44 It is only some time later, at the end of the world, that Jesus will reign on the throne. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. Revelation 11:15-18 And the seventh angel blew his trumpet. And loud voices occurred in heaven, saying: “The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.”
16 And the twenty-four elders who were seated before God upon their thrones fell upon their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We thank you, Jehovah God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and begun ruling as king. 18 But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time for the dead to be judged, and to give [their] reward to your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and to those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”
So, Michael is our great prince who protects us from Satan! Satan, on the other hand, is the enemy prince who had to declare himself to be a prince because God clearly chose His special Son.
Bible says our God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4).Does number one mean numerical in the bible?
According to Genesis 2:24, man and woman are to “become one (’echad) flesh,” a union of two separate persons. That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh.
In Deuteronomy 6:4 the same word is used of God, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one (’echad).” “Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.
Does the Bible include these three Persons in the Godhead?
“Holy Spirit is inseparably joined to the Father and the Son by a singular common name, in the same way that a married couple have one family name. It is in this name that people are to be baptized. Let us look at Matthew 28:19, where it says ‘name,’ not ‘names,’ of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Each person is not ‘a’ God; it is the three persons that are God, or make up the ‘Godhead.’ It is like having a
government, which is a singular word but made up of a number of members. No single member is the government, but all go to make up that government as individual members.
Is. 48.16-17
“Come near to me, YOU people. Hear this. From the start I have spoken in no place of concealment at all. From the time of its occurring I have been there.”
And now the Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself has sent me, even his spirit. 17 This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit [yourself], the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk.
Isaiah 61:1: The spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news to the meek ones. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to those taken captive and the wide opening [of the eyes] even to the prisoners;
Isaiah 63:8-10: And he went on to say: “Surely they are my people, sons that will not prove false.” So it was to them that he came to be a Savior. 9 During all their distress it was distressing to him. And his own personal messenger saved them. In his love and in his compassion he himself repurchased them, and he proceeded to lift them up and carry them all the days of long ago.
10 But they themselves rebelled and made his holy spirit feel hurt. He now was changed into an enemy of theirs; he himself warred against them.
Ephesians 4:4-6
One body there is, and one spirit, even as YOU were called in the one hope to which YOU were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all [persons], who is over all and through all and in all.
11 Cor. 1:21,22
But he who guarantees that YOU and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God. 22 He has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts.
Matt. 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit,
11 Cor. 13:14
The undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the sharing in the holy spirit be with all of YOU.
1 Cor 12:4-6 Now there are varieties of gifts, but there is the same spirit; 5 and there are varieties of ministries, and yet there is the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of operations, and yet it is the same God who performs all the operations in all persons.
no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 2:10,11
John 14:16 and I will request the Father and he will give YOU another helper to be with YOU forever,
Gen 19:24 Two persons Then Jehovah made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah, from the heavens, upon Sod´om and upon Go·mor´rah.
Notice also that ALL THREE MEMBERS were present at creation
Genesis 1:1,2
In [the] beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of [the] watery deep; and God’s active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters.
Genesis 1:26
And God went on to say: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every moving animal that is moving upon the earth.”
Col. 1:15
By Him [Christ] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, ...all things were created through Him and for Him."
Job 33:2
Job 33:3 God’s own spirit made me,And the Almighty’s own breath proceeded to bring me to life. Own Spirit – own Son. - Act 20:28 Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed YOU overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son].
Christ the power of God ( 1 Cor 1:24)
Gen. 11: 7,” God said (singular), let us (plural) go down and confound their languages”.
Come now! Let us go down and there confuse their language that they may not listen to one another’s language.”
Gen. 3: 22 – And Jehovah God went on to say: “Here the man has become like one of us in knowing good and bad, and now in order that he may not put his hand out and actually take [fruit] also from the tree of life and eat and live to time indefinite,—” “And the Lord God said (singular) behold, the man is become as one of us (Plural).Genesis 1: 26 And God went on to say: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every moving animal that is moving upon the earth.” “Then God said (singular), ‘Let Us make (plural) man in Our (plural) image, according to Our (plural) likeness.’” Isaiah 40:13,14 Who has taken the proportions of the spirit of Jehovah, and who as his man of counsel can make him know anything? 14 With whom did he consult together that one might make him understand, or who teaches him in the path of justice, or teaches him knowledge, or makes him know the very way of real understanding? angels did not participate in creation. “Come let Us go down and there confuse their language” (Gen 11:7). “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” (Isa 6:8). And I began to hear the voice of Jehovah saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I proceeded to say: “Here I am! Send me.”
It is also a mystery how God could have no beginning and create everything out of nothing, yet it must be so.