Archangel Michael: The Strongest Angel (Biblical Stories Explained)

Who is Michael the Archangel? One of the most prominent characters in the Bible is the angel Michael, who is known as the Archangel or the Chief of Angels. He is the only angel designated as an archangel in the Bible. Many people believe that Lucifer was also an archangel because he led other angels to revolt against God. However, nowhere in scripture are we explicitly told that he was an archangel. Other people also believe that Gabriel is also an archangel. However, nowhere in scripture are we explicitly told that he was an archangel. Within the canon of scripture, only four angels are named Michael the Archangel, Gabriel the messenger of God, Lucifer the fallen one, Abaddon also known as Apollyon the destroyer. We see in Daniel chapter 10 verse 13, the archangel Michael is described as quote one of the chief princes. This phrase suggests to us that if Michael is one of the chief princes, there are other chief princes that the Bible has remained silent regarding. That is a plausible conclusion to reach. Unlike other angels whose identities are hidden in the Old and New Testaments, Michael's name is mentioned virtually everywhere he is featured in the Bible. The book of Revelation portrays Michael as an angel of warfare. He led the war against Satan and his angels in heaven and won the victory over them. Revelation chapter 12 verses seven through nine says, 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. Wherever Michael is mentioned in the Bible, he is mentioned as contending, fighting or standing against evil spirits and principalities. He defends the things of God and the people of God. And we see this in a very important book of the Bible, the book of Daniel. In all the books of the Bible, both Michael and Gabriel are mentioned in one book. They are both mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, but only in one book are they both mentioned. Daniel chapter 10 verses seven through 13. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men that were with me saw not the vision, but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore, I was left alone and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me, for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words, and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the word that I speak unto thee, and stand upright, for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then he said unto me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I come for thy words. 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 The angel that was sent to deliver the answer to Daniel's prayer was confronted by the prince of Persia for twenty-one days. Since this prince was able to oppose the angelic messenger to Daniel, we know this prince was more than a man. This prince was a spirit being. And the fact that this prince is called, quote, the prince of the kingdom of Persia, suggests that Persia has a spirit being that represents it. The word prince has the idea of a ruler or authority. This fits in well with the New Testament idea that angelic ranks are organized and have a hierarchy. Ephesians chapter six, verse twelve, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Apparently, this was a high-ranking evil spirit, as it had the power to oppose the answer to Daniel's prayer for twenty-one days. If you remember in the book of John, on three separate occasions, Jesus referred to Satan as the prince of this world. This leads me to believe that, quote, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was no normal run-of-the-mill evil spirit, but a very powerful evil spirit that withstood this holy angel for twenty-one days until Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help the angel. Michael did not bring the answers to Daniel. He only delivered the angel from the attack of the prince of Persia. This means that angels have different ranks. The angel that was sent to Daniel had the answers to his prayers but could not overpower the evil spirit that withstood him. But Michael came to rescue him and ensured that the answers to Daniel's prayer was delivered to him. He acts as the leader of other angels. He has the strength to fight and to contend against evil spirits. He is very much a leader of other angels. We see this in the sense that he led other angels to fight the devil and his angels in the book of Revelation. There is a spirit world around us with powerful forces that literally affect our world. Don't ever think for one second that what you see happening in our world today occurs in isolation. This passage of scripture just opens up the curtain slightly into what is happening in the spirit world right now. There are confrontations and battles between spirit beings happening this very moment. The prophet Daniel reveals to us that Michael has a direct connection with the nation of Israel. Moreover, he reveals that Michael will have a prominent role in the end time. Daniel chapter 12 verse 1 through 3 says, 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. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. This means that Michael has the ministry to protect the nation of Israel during the great tribulation. He is not only a warrior angel, but Michael also has a special job in protecting Israel. God appointed Michael as a spiritual guardian over Israel. Right now, Michael is still standing for the children of Israel as he has always had. He is their protector. One angel of the Lord that God dispatched, just one angel, slew 185,000 men, just one angel. Angels are not to be taken lightly. Typically, when you see depictions of angels, they are soft, fluffy, cute, flowery creatures. Those are not angels. That is unscriptural. Angels are powerful beings. Jude recorded how Michael contended with Satan for the body of Moses. Jude chapter 1 verse 9 says, 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. This is the only Bible passage that clearly defines Michael as an archangel. Now, there are some denominations and beliefs that preach that the Lord Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel. He is not. Jesus is not Michael the archangel. Nowhere in the Bible is Jesus identified as Michael or any other angel. In Jude chapter 1 verse 9, Michael states, The Lord rebuke thee. If the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed Michael, why would he say, The Lord rebuke thee? It would make more sense for him to say rather, I rebuke thee. This proves to us that Michael is not Jesus, as some groups have thought. Jesus rebuked the devil in his own authority, but Michael did not. Michael the archangel, though, is only an angel. He is not God. Yes, he is a marvelous creature. Nevertheless, he is still a created being, and he should not be worshipped. The dispute between Michael and the devil over the body of Moses is interesting. Although Michael had the power to go toe-to-toe with the devil, as we see in other instances in scripture, he simply says, The Lord rebuke thee. He rebuked the devil in the name of the Lord. All the roles performed by Michael in the scripture are related to warfare and contention. We can reach the conclusion that angels have varying offices and patterns of operation. According to his office, Michael stands in loyalty to God. In the book of Daniel, angel Michael defeated the prince of Persia while his victory over the devil, our arch-enemy, is recorded in the book of Jude and Revelation. Revelation chapter 12 verse 7 through 11. 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. And I heard a loud voice 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, and by the word of their testimony. And they loved not their lives unto the death. This is a dramatic scene of a battle between good holy angels and bad unholy angels, faithful angels and fallen angels. Notice how in this passage of scripture we are told that, quote, Michael and his angels. He is an archangel and he has angels that work with him. Notice the dragon who is Satan has his own angels. Some say Michael must be Jesus because he has his angels. But if Satan, a fallen satanic angelic being, has his angels, can't Michael, an unfallen holy angelic being, have his angels? However, as great and heroic as Michael appears, he is just but a creation of God. He is not equal with God. Therefore, he should not be worshiped. Every time people attempt to bow and worship angels in the Bible, they were forbidden by them. Angels are ministering spirits.