Understanding the Son of God as the Archangel Michael

No, the Son of God was not a covering cherub in Solomon's temple; rather, He is the Great High Priest of the heavenly sanctuary and the Supreme Commander of all heavenly hosts Hebrews 8:1-23SP 252.2+1.

The Identity of the Covering Cherub

The term "covering cherub" refers specifically to a high and exalted angel in the heavenly courts who stood next in honor to the Son of God before falling into apostasy12LtMs, Ms 52, 1897, par. 15+2.

• Lucifer's Original Position: Before his fall, Lucifer was the anointed covering cherub, perfect in beauty and full of wisdom, who walked in the midst of the stones of fire on the holy mountain of God Ezekiel 28:14-15PC 168.1+2.

• The Contrast with Christ: While Satan was a created being and an exalted angel, Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was one with the Father before the angels were ever created1SP 17.1+1.

• The Rebellion: Envy toward Christ's pre-eminence led the covering cherub to rebel, as he desired the unlimited power and command that the Father had rightfully bestowed upon His SonTA 34.3+2.

The Cherubim in Solomon's Temple

Solomon's temple contained physical representations of cherubim, but these were symbolic figures meant to point to heavenly realitiesGC 412.3+1.

• Description: Within the oracle (the Most Holy Place), Solomon made two large cherubim out of olive wood, each ten cubits high and overlaid with gold 1 Kings 6:23-28PK 36.1.

• Purpose: These figures, with wings that touched the walls and each other, were patterns of things in the heavens 1 Kings 6:27RH November 9, 1905, par. 9.

• The Ark of the Covenant: In the heavenly sanctuary, the true ark of God’s testimony is surrounded by bright, living cherubim with outstretched wings Revelation 11:19ECE 570.1.

The Role of the Son of God

Rather than being an angel or a figure in the temple, the Son of God is the One who gives the sanctuary its meaningPK 36.1+1.

• The High Priest: Jesus Christ serves as the High Priest in the true tabernacle in heaven, which the Lord pitched and not man Hebrews 8:1-2RH November 9, 1905, par. 9+1.

• The Intercessor: He stands by the ark in the heavenly holiest place, offering the prayers of the saints with the smoke of incense to His FatherEW 32.3+2.

• The Creator and King: Christ is the Majestic Commander whom all the heavenly host, including cherubim and seraphim, surround and worshipSpM 52.1+2.

While the covering cherub sought to exalt himself to be like God, Christ humbled Himself to take on human nature to redeem the fallen race Hebrews 2:1412LtMs, Ms 52, 1897, par. 15+2. Lucifer's pride led to his destruction, but Christ's sacrifice ensures His eternal throne as the King of Glory Ezekiel 28:16-193SP 252.2+1.

The Son of God is referred to as an Angel in the sense that He is the supreme Messenger of Jehovah and the Commander of the heavenly hosts, though He remains fully divine and distinct from created angelic beingsPP 761.5+1.

Christ as the Messenger of Jehovah

The title "Angel" is applied to Christ because God has consistently communicated His revelations to humanity through His Son in all agesPP 761.5.

• Divine Manifestations: Throughout sacred history, the Son of God appeared as the "Angel of the Lord" or the "Angel of Jehovah" to guide and instruct His servantsGP 13.3+1.

• The Burning Bush: It was the Angel of the Lord who appeared to Moses in the flame of fire at Horeb, identifying Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Exodus 3:2-6SR 110.2.

• The Church in the Wilderness: Christ was the Angel who spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai and was the presence that saved and redeemed Israel from Egypt Acts 7:38+1GP 13.3.

• Guidance and Protection: God instructed Israel to obey this Angel’s voice because His own divine name and authority were in Him Exodus 23:21GP 13.3.

Michael the Archangel

The name Michael represents Christ in His specific role as the "great Prince" and the "Archangel," which signifies His position as the highest General and Leader of the angelsPP 761.5+1.

• Commander of the Host: As Michael, Christ is the Captain of the Lord’s host and the Commander of all heaven who leads the holy angels in their warfare against Satan7MR 63.2+2.

• Victor in Heaven: It was Michael and His angels who fought against the dragon and his evil angels, prevailing over them and casting them out of heaven Revelation 12:7-87MR 63.2+1.

• The Helper of Daniel: Michael is identified as the "Prince" who came to the aid of Gabriel to counteract the influence of the powers of darkness upon the kings of Persia Daniel 10:13, 21PK 571.2+1.

• The Resurrection Power: As the Archangel, Christ has the authority to rebuke Satan and raise the dead, as seen when He resurrected Moses and took him to heaven Jude 9Con 26.2+2.

Distinction from Created Angels

While the Son of God bears the title of Angel to describe His office and mission, His nature is fundamentally different from that of created heavenly beingsTA 156.1+1.

• Divinity and Humanity: Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and while He took on human nature—which did not even possess angelic powers—He remains the eternal Word who was with God and was God John 1:1-37ABC 440.2+1.

• Higher than Angels: Even Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God and is next in honor to the Son of God, acknowledges Christ as his Prince and Commander Daniel 10:21TA 152.3+1.

• The Mystery of Redemption: The love and sacrifice of Christ for man are so profound that even the unfallen angels cannot fully comprehend the depth of the mysteryPP 155.2+1.

The Final Deliverance

In the closing scenes of earth's history, the Son of God will act in His capacity as Michael to deliver His peopleCET 100.2+1.

• Standing Up: When Jesus finishes His work as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, He will "stand up" as Michael, signaling the beginning of the time of trouble Daniel 12:11EGWLM 140.4+1.

• The Second Coming: The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God to summon the dead in Christ from their graves 1 Thessalonians 4:16HF 336.3+1.

• Judge and King: At that day, the wicked will be separated from the just, and the faithful will be delivered and written in the book of life Daniel 12:1CG 560.3+1.