Archangel Michael

In Hebrew, Michael means “who is like God.” Michael is mentioned three times in the Book of Daniel. Daniel explains a vision he had of the glory of God:

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 (Dan 10:13).

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 (Dan 10:21).

The prince of the kingdom of Persia is Satan. In the next chapter Daniel tells us about the “little horn” (Dan 11) which begins prior to the Great Tribulation which is the beginning of the end. Verse 11:21 is pertains to Satan, but it sure sounds like someone else:

And his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries (Dan 11:21).

But the time of the “little horn” is nothing to fear if you walk with Jesus, as Michael promises:

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, everyone that shall be found written in the book (Dan 12:1).

The idea that Michael was the advocate of the Jews became so prevalent that in spite of the rabbinical prohibition against appealing to angels as intermediaries between God and his people, Michael came to occupy a certain place in the Jewish liturgy.

In the book of Revelation Michael leads God’s armies against Satan’s forces, and defeats Satan in heaven.

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 anymore 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.

And I heard a loud voice (this is John talking saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Therefore rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time (Rev 12: 7-12).

In the book of Jude Michael is referred to as an “archangel,” and argues with Satan about where God buried Moses. What Satan’s interest in Moses’ burial ground is uncertain, but since people have put Moses on a high pedestal, many even place him before Jesus, I can only guess that Satan wanted to put Moses on an even higher pedestal to draw more and more people away from Jesus. Since Satan lost the war in heaven his only goal is to bring as many people as he can to hell with him.

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion and speak evil of dignities.

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 rebukes thee (Jude 8-9).

Although the three occurrences of Michael in the Book of Daniel 10:13, 10:21 and 12:1 all refer to the same individual, who acts in similar ways in all three cases, the last one is set at the “end times.”