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NOTE: This article or series has not been updated recently. As such, it may possibly contain some outdated information, and/or ideas and beliefs which I no longer embrace, or which have changed to some degree.



Continuing our discussion concerning Jesus and Michael the Archangel, my view is that rather than outright state that Jesus and Michael are definitely one and the same person, it would be wiser for these people to say that, in their humble opinion, they may possibly be one and the same. To make such dogmatic statements regarding any topic which is not clearly defined in the Bible is foolishness. Furthermore, adopting such a practice opens the door to deception and doctrinal error. As I explain in the article entitled "Humility in Our Understanding of God's Word", it is for this very reason that in my articles, I endeavor to maintain a very cautious and open attitude regarding what I say. I make every attempt to let it be known when I am firmly convinced of something due to the Scriptural evidence, and when I am merely offering my personal speculation. I leave myself open in case I am wrong. As the Apostle Paul writes:

"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."


Regarding the comparison which has been made between Jesus and the Archangel Michael, at this current time, I remain convinced that this doctrine is in direct contradiction to what we are told in the Bible. Tragically, as I have already shown, the Urantians have shielded themselves from the truth of God's Word by claiming that the Bible is adulterated and full of many errors and inaccuracies. This is in fact what so many people do today. They think that they are so smart. They think that by simply claiming that the Bible is a book full of myths, or that by saying that it is full of errors, they somehow free themselves from obeying its mandates, and from the consequences of rebellion and sin.

This attitude is similar to a person who ignores all of the speed limit signs, and speeds down the highway at a hundred miles an hour. When the highway patrolman finally catches up with him, the speedster tries to justify his dangerous and foolish actions by saying "Oh yes, officer. I saw all of the speed limit signs; but I don't believe in them because they are marked wrong. They don't apply to me." Obviously, the highway patrolman is not going to accept the speedster's silly argument. Neither will our Heavenly Father accept all of the excuses which will no doubt be used on the Day of Judgment. Their excuses will only lead them to a place where they really don't want to be. I am reminded of verses such as the following ones:

"Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied."


"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."


"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."


"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."


At any rate, it is because such people willingly reject the truth of God's Word, that they are so deceived. How subtle of Satan to neutralize the very Book which could free these people from their strong delusion! Sadly, this self-imposed deception has been occurring since the First Century. You may recall the following verses which I shared with you in part two. However, this time, allow me to add the first few words from verse five as well:

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant . . ."


Do you see that? Peter writes "For this they willingly are ignorant". Clearly then, willful ignorance is nothing new. For those of you who do accept the validity and inspiration of God's holy Word, allow me to share with you a few verses from the Book of Revelation which clearly demonstrate that absolutely no one knows Jesus' Heavenly Name except for Jesus Himself:

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God . . . And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."


The previous verses describe the return of Jesus Christ with the Heavenly Host during the great Battle of Armageddon; at which time the forces of the Beast and the False Prophet are destroyed. I discuss these events in more detail in articles such as "From Armageddon to the New Earth". Notice, however, that the verses clearly state that no one knows Jesus' name except for He Himself. We know Jesus by some of His other descriptive titles such as the Word Of God, the Lamb Of God, the Door, the King of Kings, and quite a few others that are found in both the Old and New Testaments; but no one knows Him by His personal Heavenly Name.

In light of this Scriptural evidence, we must conclude that any persons -- such as the Urantia Book followers and the Jehovah's Witnesses -- who claim that Jesus and Michael the Archangel are one and the same person, or that Michael is Jesus' personal Celestial Name, are either simply not aware of the previous verses, or else they have purposely decided to ignore them, because they contradict their false doctrine and what they want to believe. Furthermore, for any person to deny the truth regarding Jesus' personal name which is revealed in the previous verses, and to teach and promote something which contradicts what is stated in those verses, is basically to claim that they have some kind of special hotline to God. It is to suggest that God has revealed some secret knowledge to them which no one else possesses.

My friends, beware of such people! For those of you who may not be aware of it, tempting people with so-called "secret" knowledge and esoteric wisdom is just another one of Satan's ruses. It is more bait in his devilish mousetrap! The Devil loves to lift people up in their pride; just as he is also lifted up in his own pride and vanity. He knows that pride is one of our human weaknesses, and he will most certainly try to exploit it to his own advantage, if we let him.

"Oh yes!" Satan will say as he draws you into his web of darkness and deception. "You have been called, and you are chosen to be a special messenger of God. You are a prophet! You are an apostle! Therefore, I have been sent to enlighten you, and to give you certain esoteric wisdom which you must share with the world." It is truly sad to see how many of my Christian brethren have allowed themselves to be deceived by this Satanic lie. Everyone wants to feel special, and to be used of the Lord, and Satan most certainly knows this. Thus, when he starts baiting their pride, some of these people find it extremely hard to resist his temptation.

Perhaps some of these people truly have been anointed by the Lord. I honestly don't know, because I do not know any of them personally. I don't know what kind of relationship they have with the Lord. However, at the same time, I must note that based upon my online experiences and observations, such as on Facebook, I am convinced that there are many misguided false prophets and self-proclaimed apostles who populate the Internet. The problem is that unless one possesses a strong knowledge of God's Word, he may not be able to recognize the doctrinal errors, small inconsistencies and contradictions which appear in some of the messages which are delivered by these people.

Personally, for many years now, I have preferred to err on the side of caution. Thus, I take everything that is related to prophecy and modern revelation with a big grain of salt. I prefer to be a skeptic, and only accept those things which the Lord confirms to me personally through His Word. This is not a decision which I just suddenly made one day. I had to learn this important lesson through personal experience many years ago. You see, in my youth, I too became deceived by such a self-proclaimed prophet, and it gobbled up years of my life.

So the lesson is clear. If some self-styled prophet or some spiritual being approaches you and makes claims of wanting to enlighten you, I urge you to test that prophet or spirit, and to remember the verses that I shared with you earlier in this series. I have added a few more verses for your benefit. Please take heed to them:

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."


"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."


"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."


"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."


"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."


"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"


"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."


"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"


Please understand that I am not saying that God cannot send an Angelic Messenger in our current time if He so chooses. I have never had such an experience in my long life, and I am not convinced that anyone else has either; but this does not mean that it cannot happen. Bear in mind, however, that even in God's Word, such amazing events appear to be very rare, if we consider that the Bible covers a time span of about four thousand years. It is because of this fact, that my personal alarm goes off when I see so many people today claiming to have received an Angelic Visitation, or to have met Jesus in person, or to have taken a journey to the Heavenly City. It is for this reason that I advise extreme caution if such an event should ever occur in your life. Make certain that it is really of the Lord, and does not actually proceed from the false angel of light, Satan himself. Keep in mind the words of the Apostle John: "many false prophets are gone out into the world."

The problem is that most of us would be so totally awed by such a magnificent apparition, that we would probably be dumbstruck and paralyzed with fear, just like the accounts which we read about in the Bible. Consider the following three amazing examples:

"And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling . . . And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me."


"And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud."


"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."


Because of our earnest desire to touch and experience the Divine in our lives, it is quite possible that we would let down our spiritual guard during such an encounter. In other words, regardless of whether the experience originated from God or Satan, we would be tempted to automatically assume that it must be from God. After all, we are Christians, and God would surely never allow Satan to deceive us in such a wicked way, would He? Before you are quick to respond in the negative, allow me to remind you of something that Jesus said in His Olivet Discourse that is found in the twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew:

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."


The very elect, my friends. It is evident then that no one is beyond deception. If in our pride we convince ourselves that we are so spiritual that we would never fall for one of Satan's ruses, we may very well be on our way to setting ourselves up for exactly that kind of deception, without even realizing it. Because we have convinced ourselves that we are so spiritual, when the deception does come along, we will convince ourselves that the experience originates from God. I suspect that this may be exactly what some of these modern false prophets and wannabe apostles are doing. Think about it, and be warned.

Returning to the issue of Celestial Names, in Revelation chapter two, we find the Lord saying the following to the Church at Pergamos regarding the new names which will be given to those people who overcome:

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."


As we learned earlier, Jesus has a special name which only He Himself knows. In the previous verse, we see the very same thing being stated concerning those Christians who overcome. We are specifically told that the new names which are written on the white stones are private. As such, there is no way that anyone else could possibly know them, unless of course God wants them to be made known. I honestly don't understand why we need secret names, but perhaps God will reveal the reason to us in His good time. Perhaps it has something to do with Celestial Security, but this is just a theory on my part.

At any rate, here again we see another example which seems to indicate that the Urantia Book's so-called "revelation" regarding Jesus Christ being Michael the Archangel -- or at least being called Michael -- is nothing short of a lie and a deception. As I have already made clear, whatever Jesus' Heavenly Name is, absolutely no one knows it except for God the Father who gave it to Him, and Jesus Himself.

At this point in our discussion, we are going to examine a few of the other comments that Dr. Byron Weeks made, as I pointed out to you in the first part of this series. Let me share that quote with you again to refresh your memory:

----- Begin Quote -----

"According to the Urantia Book, The Archangel was the "Archangel OF Michael" for Michael is the Heavenly title or name of Jesus, who is the Creator of this "Local Universe." Melchizedek is one of His Sons, and Not Jesus Christ. "Michael" has a whole hierarchy of Sons which include Lucifer, and his subordinate, Satan . . ."

----- End Quote -----

Quite frankly, to my knowledge, there is no indication in God's Word that Melchizedek is the son of Jesus; or that Lucifer is the son of Jesus; or that Lucifer and Satan are two different entities; or that Satan is a subordinate of Lucifer. In fact, Weeks seems to be implying that Satan is also one of Jesus' sons. If you are interested in learning more about my own views regarding these different entities, please consider reading such articles as "Satan: His Origin, Purpose and Future, "Who Hindered the Antichrist?" and "Is Jesus the Only Begotten Son of God?". As you will see, these three articles offer some ideas which are based on the Scriptures, and not just on wishful thinking or delusion, as appears to be the case with the Urantia Book.

Regarding the existence of a Spiritual Hierarchy in the Heavenly Realm, this is a much more provable point, and one which I address in other articles. From a variety of verses that are found in the Bible, we do know that the Heavenly Kingdom is in fact governed by a Celestial Government which has order and rank. A simple example of this can be found in the opening verse of the Book of Revelation, as we see here:

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:"


As you can see, God the Father gave the revelation to Jesus, His Son. In turn, Jesus gave the revelation to His Angelic Messenger. This Angel then delivered the message to John. John in turn revealed the message to the Seven Churches in Asia, and by extension, to the rest of the Christian world as well. The Elders of those Churches delivered the message to their flocks. Thus we see a very clear chain-of-command.

Likewise, we know that the Heavenly Court does exist, and that Spiritual Entities appear before the Great Throne of our Heavenly Father. This is clearly demonstrated in the Book of Job. The Scriptures also reveal that someday, each one of us will have to appear before the Judgment Seat of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Consider these verses which verify these points:

"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them."


"Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD."


"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."


"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."


"Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead."


"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."


From reading the Scriptures, we also know that Jesus Christ can be compared to our Heavenly Defense Attorney and High Priest who pleads our cause before His Father's Throne. This becomes evident in such verses as the following:

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."


"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."


"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."


While Jesus Christ serves as our Defense Attorney and High Priest before the Great Throne of our Heavenly Father, the Scriptures also inform us that Satan is the Accuser of the Saints and the legalistic Prosecuting Attorney who seeks our judgment and chastisement. If it were up to Satan, we would all be found guilty in every case. In addition to the story of Job which confirms this point, we also find this verse in the Book of Revelation:

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."


In the fourth chapter of the Book of Revelation, we are also given a basic idea of what the Central Throne Area looks like with the Father's Throne, the Twenty-Four Elders, the Four Beasts, and the seven fiery ministering Spirits of God. Regarding the latter, I suspect that these Seven Spirits are the seven mighty Archangels who are mentioned throughout the Book of Revelation, as well as in other Books of the Bible. Consider these verses:

"And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind."


In the Old Testament we discover that some of the Spiritual Entities which surround the Throne of God act as Counsellors to the Almighty. They converse amongst themselves, and then offer their advice to the Lord. We find evidence of this in the following verses that are found in the First Book of the Kings:

"And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him."


Please go to part four for the continuation of this series.

⇒ Go To The Next Part . . .

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