Michael the Archangel

2023-07-28

Michael, known as an archangel and a chief prince, is mentioned five times in the Bible by name.

1. Michael in spiritual warfare and as defender of God’s people. When Daniel saw a vision of the preincarnate Son of God, he was told: “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia” (Daniel 10:13). Michael is fully involved in spiritual warfare. This prince of the kingdom of Persia is the spiritual force behind the human king. Michael fought against this prince with the Son. This battle is presumably more of a restraining rather than a full war because the Son would easily destroy these enemies. Michael also would be fighting against other princes, such as the prince of Grecia: “Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince” (Daniel 10:20-21). Michael is the primary leader who fights for the Lord against spiritual wickedness in high places.
   
   Moreover, Michael is described as “your prince.” While evil nations such as Persia and Grecia have spiritual princes, God’s people also have a prince, Michael.
   
   Some religions claim that Michael is Jesus. Here we see a distinction between the two with a preincarnate Son of God (consider the description of Jesus as He was described also in Revelation 1:13-16), and He is speaking about Michael, a distinct person from Himself.
2. Michael in battle against Satan. Immediately before the rise of the Antichrist, Michael will defeat Satan and his angels, and they will be thrown from heaven to be confined to earth. “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7-9). Here, we also see that Michael is a leader of other angels, as he leads them into battle against Satan and his followers.
3. Michael’s role in the rapture. During the end times, right before the coming of our Lord, Michael will fight the forces of darkness. “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book” (Daniel 12:1). Here, we see that Michael fights for the Lord’s people amid the chaos of those times. This deliverance of the people is presumably the rapture, and Michael is involved with it.
   
   We see this event recorded in the New Testament. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This is the only other time other than Jude 1:9 (discussed below) that the word “archangel” is used, and it is presumably Michael, since this archangel is performing the same role.
   
   Again, this angel is also likely Michael, since it is likely the same event: “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped” (Revelation 14:14-16). The angel cries out to the Son bring in this harvest. The harvest is the people mentioned in the next chapter. “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God” (Revelation 15:2).
4. Michael’s role with the body of Moses. Michael also disputed with Satan in the past. “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 1:9). For whatever reason, the body of Moses was important to retain and Satan could not have access to it. Michael must have been involved with the burying Moses’ body: “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day” (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). This may be because Moses could be one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12. It may also be because Moses was present during the Transfiguration, and he was being protected until that time.
   
   Likewise, we see that Michael must be distinct from Jesus because Jesus is mentioned by name in Jude 1:4, and there is no connection mentioned here in Jude 1:9. Any such connection of Michael being Jesus is unfounded.