The Identity and Role of Michael in the Narrative of the War in Heaven

The Michael Figure in Rev 12 continues to intrigue biblical scholars, with special reference to his identity and role in the narrative of the war in heaven. This work is a contribution to the on-going scholarly discussion, especially from the exegetical perspective. The background study on the drakon-combat motif reveals that the drakon in Rev 12 mirrors the OT drakon more than the ANE drakon in their combat myths. Similarly, the background study on the Michael Figure reveals that in the book of Daniel, Michael exhibits the qualities of a divine Being. The name, Michael, in the light of the Hebrew OT and ANE cognate languages is best understood as a rhetoric interrogative sentence, "Who is like God?" This expresses the incomparability of God. Utilizing the historical-grammatical method of exegesis, this study demonstrates that Michael in Rev 12:7-12 is a divine Being. He is the same as the Male Child-Messiah and the Lamb in context. His role in the narrative of the war in heaven in Rev 12:7-12 is both military and judicial.

Autorentext
Born in Nigeria, Michael Onyedikachi Akpa is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. He holds a PhD degree in Religion (Biblical Studies). The author of a book and several articles, he is currently a lecturer at Babcock University, Nigeria, specializing in NT language, exegesis and theology. Married to Victoria, they have two children, Prince and Precious.