An incident between Satan the devil and Michael answers this question. Notice: “Likewise also these filthy dreamers [wicked men] defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities [those in authority]. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil…about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord [Christ] rebuke you” (Jude 8-9). He could not have been referring to himself in this way!

Michael is a “great prince” who serves Israel (Dan. 10:21; 12:1). He has tremendous authority as an archangel. But his position is not one of higher rank than that of Satan. (As the only three archangels mentioned in the Bible, Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer [who rebelled, becoming Satan the devil] were each given authority over one third of the angels [see Rev. 12:4].) Michael showed respect for Satan’s position as the “god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4) by not rebuking Satan himself. Because Michael does not have a higher rank, he could not command the devil.

But Christ can command Satan. Notice Matthew 4:10: “Get you hence, Satan.” Christ created the archangel Lucifer, the one who later became Satan (Isa. 14:12). God used Christ to create all things (Jn. 1:1-3), including Michael. A creation cannot be greater than its Creator. Because Christ has authority over Satan—has a higher rank—the devil obeyed Christ.

Obviously, Michael and Christ are not the same. Michael is an archangel, a created spirit being. He leads half of the remaining, faithful angels in God’s kingdom. Michael and all other created spirit beings are subject to Christ’s authority.

Christ is the Supreme Ruler under God the Father. He is “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life” (Heb. 7:3). No one created Him.