Many people unfamiliar with Jehovah's Witnesses often wonder about their distinctive beliefs regarding Jesus Christ. One of the most intriguing aspects is their teaching that Jesus is not merely divine in a traditional sense, but actually an angelic being—specifically, the Archangel Michael. This perspective contrasts sharply with mainstream Christian doctrine, which typically regards Jesus as fully God and fully human. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind Jehovah's Witnesses' belief that Jesus is an angel, examining their scriptural interpretations, doctrinal foundations, and the theological implications of this view.
Understanding Jehovah’s Witnesses' View of Jesus
Jehovah's Witnesses hold a unique interpretation of the Bible when it comes to Jesus Christ. They believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but not Almighty God Himself. Instead, they see Jesus as a divine being created by God, who serves as the Messiah and the Savior of humanity. Central to their teaching is the idea that Jesus existed before his earthly life as a heavenly being, and that he holds a special status among God's creations. This belief is rooted in their interpretation of specific biblical passages, which they read differently from mainstream Christian denominations.
The Biblical Basis for Jesus as an Angel
Jehovah's Witnesses rely heavily on certain scriptures to support their view that Jesus is an angelic being. Key among these are passages that mention Michael the Archangel, as well as references to Jesus’ pre-human existence as a spiritual being. They interpret these scriptures in a way that equates Jesus with Michael, the chief angelic figure described in the Bible.
Key Scriptural Passages Supporting Their Belief
- Daniel 10:13 and Daniel 12:1: These verses mention Michael as a "great prince" who stands up for God's people. Jehovah's Witnesses identify Michael with Jesus before he came to Earth.
- Jude 1:9: Describes Michael the archangel disputing with Satan over the body of Moses. Witnesses see this as evidence of Michael's high rank among angels, equating him with Jesus.
- Revelation 12:7: Describes a war in heaven involving Michael and his angels. Witnesses interpret this as depicting Jesus' heavenly role prior to his earthly ministry.
- John 1:1, 14: Describes Jesus as the Word who was with God and was God, and then became flesh. Witnesses interpret this as emphasizing Jesus' divine role, but still separate from the Father, aligning with their angelic view.
Theological Foundations of the Angelic View
Jehovah's Witnesses' belief that Jesus is an angel stems from their understanding of the nature of angels and the role of Jesus in God's plan. They see angels as spiritual beings created by God to serve as messengers and agents. Since they believe Jesus is a created being who served as God's foremost agent before his earthly life, they classify him as an angelic creature—specifically, Michael, the chief angel.
Distinguishing Jesus from God
A core part of Jehovah's Witness theology is the strict monotheism that separates Jehovah, the Almighty God, from Jesus Christ. They believe that Jesus is a subordinate being—created by Jehovah and not equal to Him. Their interpretation of John 14:28 ("The Father is greater than I") supports this view, reinforcing the idea that Jesus is not the same as God but a distinct, subordinate divine being.
How Jehovah's Witnesses Interpret Key Scriptures
Jehovah's Witnesses interpret the Bible through their own translation, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Their translation and interpretation of certain verses reflect their doctrinal stance that Jesus is an angelic being. For example:
- Colossians 1:15: They interpret "the firstborn of all creation" as indicating Jesus' role as a created being, not pre-existent deity.
- Revelation 3:14: Describes Jesus as "the beginning of God's creation," which they see as supporting the idea of Jesus being a created angelic being.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16: References the "voice of the archangel," which they associate with Jesus' heavenly manifestation.
Historical Development of the Doctrine
The belief that Jesus is an angelic being is not a new one for Jehovah's Witnesses but has roots in their early doctrinal development. Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Bible Student movement that eventually became Jehovah's Witnesses, emphasized the idea that Jesus was a mighty divine being but not equal to God. This view was further refined by subsequent leaders and became a distinctive doctrine of the organization.
Contrasting Jehovah’s Witnesses' View with Mainstream Christianity
Most Christian denominations teach that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father. The doctrine of the Trinity holds that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons in one Godhead. Jehovah's Witnesses reject this doctrine, instead asserting that Jesus is a separate, created being—an angelic figure who served as God's first creation.
Implications of Viewing Jesus as an Angel
This belief has significant theological implications. It affects how Jehovah's Witnesses approach worship, prayer, and their understanding of salvation. Since they do not worship Jesus as God, but as an angelic being, their worship is directed solely to Jehovah. They also see Jesus' role as a perfect human sacrifice, but not as divine in nature.
Common Questions About Jehovah's Witnesses’ Belief
- Is Jesus an angel or God? According to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus is an angelic being, specifically Michael the Archangel, not Almighty God.
- Why do Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael? They interpret biblical references to Michael as the same person as Jesus before his earthly life, based on their reading of scriptures like Daniel and Jude.
- Does this belief change their view of salvation? Yes. They see Jesus' role as a perfect, angelic mediator, but emphasize that salvation depends on obedience to God's laws and allegiance to Jehovah.
Criticism and Controversy
Mainstream Christianity criticizes Jehovah's Witnesses for their interpretation of Jesus' identity. Critics argue that their view diminishes Jesus' divine nature and undermines traditional Christian doctrines such as the Trinity and the deity of Christ. The identification of Jesus with Michael the Archangel is viewed by many as a misinterpretation of biblical texts, leading to theological disagreements.
Summary of Why Jehovah's Witnesses Think Jesus Is an Angel
In summary, Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is an angel because:
- They interpret biblical references to Michael the Archangel as referring to Jesus prior to his earthly incarnation.
- Their understanding of scripture emphasizes Jesus' role as a powerful, divine-created being rather than as God himself.
- They see Jesus' pre-human existence as an angelic being who served as God's chief agent and messenger.
- Their doctrinal emphasis on strict monotheism and rejection of the Trinity leads them to view Jesus as a subordinate, created angelic figure rather than divine.
Conclusion
The belief that Jesus is an angel is a distinctive doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses, rooted in their unique biblical interpretation and theological framework. While it differs significantly from mainstream Christian teaching, it provides insight into their understanding of Jesus' nature and role within God's plan. Recognizing these beliefs helps foster better understanding and dialogue between Jehovah's Witnesses and other Christian communities. For adherents, this view reinforces their devotion to Jehovah and their commitment to following their interpretation of biblical teachings rooted in their faith tradition.
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