Seventeen years ago, one of my bible students asked me to prove this using the bible. As I examined the information in the WT publications back then, I realized embarrassed, that there was no definite statement by the WTS and it was "evidently" back then. That was one of the milestones in my examining WT teachings more closely and realizing the buzzwords and phrases the WTS used to make it appear definite.
Michael, referred to by some religions as “Saint Michael,” is evidently a name given to Jesus before and after his life on earth.
Consider why it is reasonable to conclude
it is more reasonable to conclude
-------------Other identifiations of Jesus by the WTS using similar buzz words phrases
(WT February 15, 2008, pages 12-16)
7. How did the Jews act as far as the Law was concemed?
7 During his prehuman existence as "the Word," Jesus may have been God's Spokesman who guided the Israelites through the wilderness. (John 1:1; Ex. 23:20-23) However, they had "received the Law as transmitted by angels but [had] not kept it." (Acts 7:53; Heb. 2:2, 3) In fact, the first century Jewish religious leaders failed to discern the intent of the Law. For example, consider the Sabbath law. (Read Mark 3:4-6.) The scribes and Pharisees "disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness." (Matt. 23:23) Nevertheless, Jesus did not give up and cease to declare the truth.
"Jesus MAY HAVE been God's Spokesman who guided the Israelites through the wilderness"
This is similar to the way the WTS concludes that Jesus is Michael the archangel. They teach that this angel was Michael. What is the scriptural proof?
*** it-2 p. 1203 Word, The ***
Since the angel that guided the Israelites through the wilderness had ‘Jehovah’s name within him,’ he may have been God’s Son, the Word.—Ex 23:20-23
Yet if Jesus was an angel prior to his birth on earth, his name would not have been Jesus. And if he was Michael, how would God's name be in him any more than in Gabriel?
Notice some "likely" ways the WTS "no doubt" makes a scriptural connection where there is none.
*** w95 8/1 p. 13 par. 21 Jehovah—A God Who Teaches ***
Jehovah also uses angelic representatives to teach, including his Firstborn, “the Word.” (John 1:1-3) Although Jehovah could have spoken directly to his perfect human son, Adam, in the garden of Eden, likely he used the prehuman Jesus to speak for Him. (Genesis 2:16, 17) This one was probably “the angel of the true God who was going ahead of the camp of Israel” and regarding whom Jehovah commanded: “Obey his voice.” (Exodus 14:19; 23:20, 21) No doubt the prehuman Jesus was also the “prince of the army of Jehovah” who appeared to Joshua to strengthen him. (Joshua 5:14, 15).
"religious leaders failed to discern the intent of the Law" "disregarded the weightier matters of the Law" like how the Bible forbids beards on male Christians and there has to be 2 eyewitnesses of a pedophile molesting a child; like eating grain on the Sabbath, healing on the sabbath, and not ritually washing your hands.
