Dear Michele,

Thanks for your question.

You said:
I have a few questions on these Scripture passages:

Daniel 12:1 At that time Michael, the mighty angelic prince who stands guard over your nation."
Revelation 12:7-8 Then there was a war in Heaven; Michael and the angels under his command. "

I feel confused.

• Is it possible that Jesus is an Earth name and Michael is the Heavenly name?
• Could Jesus be the archangel Michael?

No, Jesus is not the Archangel Michael.

• I'm not sure why you are confused by these verses, which do not even mention Jesus; can you elaborate?

The fact that Jesus is not an angel is proved by Hebrews 2:5,

"For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking",

and Hebrews 1:5-8,

5 For to what angel did God ever say,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”?
Or again,
“I will be to him a father,
and he shall be to me a son”?
6 And again, when he brings the first-born into the
world, he says,
“Let all God's angels worship him.”
7 Of the angels he says,
“Who makes his angels winds,
and his servants flames of fire.”
8 But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,
the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. "

Basically, he is contrasting Jesus and angels, specifically saying that Jesus can't be and isn't an angel.

Some have tried to use 1 Thessalonians 4:15 to prove that Jesus is Michael. This is a gross example of eisegesis (reading into Scripture what isn't there). What this verse means is that Jesus's return will be accompanied by (with) the call of an archangel — i.e., an archangel will announce his coming. To build an elaborate theology upon a dubious grammatical reading of a three-word subordinate clause, as some do, is ludicrous.

You said:
Revelation 14:1 " . . . with him were 144,000 who had his Name and his Father's Name written..."

• Is this saying that Jesus will have 144,000 under Him, all co-leading, once the world is rid of evil in the New Kingdom here on Earth?

The number 144,000 is symbolic; it refers to all the multitude of the righteous. It's not meant to be taken literally any more than the reference to them as male Jewish virgins (Revelation 14:3-4) is to be taken literally. This verse is just a symbolic reference to all who are saved.

You said:
I was led to believe that Heaven is a peaceful place though I am not sure why or how.

If you could help me understand these Scriptures, it would be appreciated. They confuse me:

• Daniel 12:1 1 Michael . . . will stand up and fight for you in Heaven against satanic forces..."
• Revelation 12:7-8 7 Then there was war in Heaven; Michael and the angels under his command fought the Dragon and his hosts of fallen angels. 8 And the Dragon lost the battle and was forced from Heaven."

You're using The Living Bible translation. This is not a good translation for study because it is a paraphrase. It's readable and you can get the gist of things, but it's not accurate. You can compare to other translations here. My translation of Daniel 12:1 does not mention Heaven; it says,

"At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time; but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found written in the book."

(Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition, Daniel 12:1).

As for Revelation 12, there was a time, just after the creation of the world before Adam sinned, that there was war between the angels that chose to side with God and the angels that rebelled against God. Those who rebelled were cast out of Heaven (Revelation 12:8). That was the end of the conflict in Heaven. The concept of Heaven though is somewhat misunderstood in common culture.

When we speak of going to Heaven when we die, as friends of God, we don't really mean that we're transported to a physical realm. What we mean is that we see God face to face (after being purified of our imperfections) and enter into what we call the beatific vision. In short, it's a state of happiness because we are united with our beloved. That's what makes it peaceful.

Continue to read Revelation and you will see that the demons — the fallen angels, including satan — and the wicked humans will be confined to Hell, and the righteous will be perfected. This is reflected in Revelation 21,

1 Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth; for the first Heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; 3 and I heard a great voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:1-4

Then there will not only be peace in our souls, but the whole of creation (excepting Hell) will be at peace.

Hope this helps,

Eric