Michael the Archangel is one of the most mysterious and intriguing figures in the Bible. Though he is mentioned only a few times by name in Scripture, he plays a vital role in God’s plans and purposes. Let’s explore what the Bible reveals about this powerful angelic being.
Michael’s Name and Role
The name Michael means “Who is like God?” This rhetorical question emphasizes Michael’s role as a defender of God’s holiness and authority. He is described in the Bible as the “great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people” (Daniel 12:1). Michael is the only angel expressly called an archangel in Scripture (Jude 1:9). He is also recognized as the head or chief of the angelic host (Revelation 12:7-9).
As an archangel, Michael has authority over other angels. He leads the heavenly armies in spiritual warfare against Satan and his demonic forces (Revelation 12:7). Michael is a protector, overseeing and safeguarding God’s chosen people on earth (Daniel 10:13, 21, 12:1). Several passages picture him leading an angelic army of warriors in triumph over the devil and his dark powers (Revelation 12:7-9).
Michael in Daniel
Michael first appears by name in the Old Testament book of Daniel. In Daniel 10, an angelic messenger comes to Daniel to reveal events that will happen to the people of Israel in the end times. This angel tells Daniel that the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” had resisted him for 21 days until “Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me” (Daniel 10:13). Michael is called here one of the “chief princes,” indicating his high rank among the angels.
Later in Daniel, the angel tells of a time in the future when “Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise” (Daniel 12:1). This points to Michael’s role as the guardian and protector of Israel. In the end times, he will “arise” to deliver the people of God from harm and establish God’s eternal kingdom (Daniel 12:1-3).
Michael Contending with Satan over Moses’ Body
The New Testament letter of Jude contains the only other mention of “Michael the archangel” by name in Scripture (Jude 1:9). Jude describes an obscure event not recorded elsewhere in the Bible – a dispute between Michael and Satan over the body of Moses. According to Jude, even the great archangel Michael did not dare to pronounce judgment on Satan but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9).
This passage reveals Michael’s authority and restraint. As an archangel, he outranks Satan and has the power to judge him. Yet Michael deferred ultimate judgment to the Lord, choosing instead to appeal to the Lord’s own authority against Satan’s slander. This event is an example of Michael’s role in guarding, protecting, and upholding God’s supreme will.
Michael the Warrior Prince
The book of Revelation contains several striking portrayals of Michael as a warrior prince leading the angelic host against Satan and his forces. In Revelation 12, Michael and his angels fight a war in heaven against Satan and his fallen angels and cast them down to earth (Revelation 12:7-9). Later in the chapter, a voice from heaven warns that “the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:12). Michael had initiated a key victory over Satan in preparation for greater spiritual battles on earth in the end times.
Michael is also described in military terms in Daniel 10:21 as the only angelic prince who upholds and supports God’s people in the midst of intense spiritual warfare. He is their defender and advocate against the “prince of Persia” and the “prince of Greece,” which likely symbolize high-ranking evil spirit beings (demons) assigned to those regions. As the head of God’s angelic armies, Michael fights against Satan’s kingdom worldwide.
Michael Stands Up for God’s People
Daniel 12 provides an end-times prophecy that “at that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people” (Daniel 12:1). Here Michael is pictured as the special guardian and protector of Israel during the cataclysmic events preceding the return of Christ. He will arise to deliver the people of God from harm or destruction amid intense persecution.
Some Bible scholars believe this “arising” of Michael may refer to the resurrection of Jesus, through whom final victory over Satan, sin, and death has been accomplished. Just as Michael leads the angelic host in war against Satan, Jesus leads the redeemed host of believers in triumph over evil through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.
Michael in Comparison to Other Named Angels
Michael is the only angel who is called an archangel in Scripture. He is also one of only two angels specifically named in the Protestant canon of the Bible, the other being Gabriel. Gabriel appears prominently in the book of Daniel and in Luke’s Gospel. He was sent to deliver key prophetic messages to Daniel and to Zechariah and Mary, the parents of John the Baptist and Jesus.
Unlike Michael, Gabriel is never portrayed as a warrior in Scripture. His role seems to be more as a messenger, revealer of divine revelation, and interpreter of visions. The contrast between Michael and Gabriel highlights how their responsibilities and authority differ as the two named archangels.
Two other angels are named in biblical apocryphal literature: Raphael in the book of Tobit, and Uriel in 2 Esdras. But only Michael and Gabriel are mentioned by name in the 66 books of the Protestant Bible canon. They stand out among all the unnamed angels who serve God and carry out his will.
Jesus and Michael
While Michael clearly holds a very high rank among angels, some wonder if he could actually be the uncreated, divine Son of God in angelic form. A few biblical passages have led to speculation about Michael’s precise identity and his relationship to the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ.
In Joshua’s vision of the commander of the Lord’s army (Joshua 5:13-15), many see a Christophany, or appearance of the preincarnate Christ. This heavenly figure calls himself the “commander of the army of the Lord,” a role similar to Michael’s leadership of the angelic host. When Joshua worships this being, he says, “Take off your sandals…for the place where you are standing is holy” (Joshua 5:15). This reaction suggests the presence of deity.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 describes the return of Christ from heaven and the voice of “the archangel” calling out. This association with the archangel could link Michael to Christ. However, Scripture does not explicitly equate Michael with the person of Jesus. They are presented as distinct individuals, with Michael obeying and worshiping the Lord (Jude 1:9).
Michael in Heavenly Worship
Revelation 5 provides a breathtaking scene of heavenly worship. Around the throne of God are gathered myriads of angels along with the four living creatures and the 24 elders (Revelation 5:11). With a loud voice, this vast heavenly multitude proclaims the glory and worthiness of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who died to redeem people from every nation (Revelation 5:12).
In the midst of this worship, John hears “the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11). The Greek word translated “myriads” is literally “ten thousand,” representing an uncountable host. Many of these unnamed angels are likely under Michael’s leadership and command.
Together with his fellow angels, Michael worships and serves before the throne, bringing honor and glory to God and to the Lord Jesus Christ. Michael and the angels are examples for believers on earth to live for the praise of God’s glory as they await Christ’s return in power and great glory.
Michael in God’s Defeat of Satan
In Revelation 12, a great sign appears of a woman representing Israel who gives birth to the Messiah. A furious red dragon waits to devour the baby, but the child is rescued and taken to God’s throne, and the woman flees into the wilderness (Revelation 12:1-6).
Next John sees a war in heaven between Michael and his angels and the dragon (Satan) and his angels. Michael defeats them, and Satan is thrown down to earth (Revelation 12:7-9). A loud voice in heaven then declares, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come” (Revelation 12:10).
This passage reveals Michael leading the angelic host to an important victory over Satan, which sets in motion greater fulfillment of God’s kingdom plans on earth. Michael and his angels cast the devil down, overcoming him by “the blood of the Lamb” (Christ’s sacrifice) and the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11).
This casting down presages Satan’s ultimate doom when he will be seized and bound for a thousand years, then finally thrown into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:2, 10). Michael helps establish Christ’s authority over the earth in preparation for his return.
The Significance of Michael
Michael the archangel has a vital, unique role in God’s administration and plans. He wields significant power and authority as the leader of the angelic host and commander of the Lord’s army. Michael upholds God’s sovereignty and acts as the guardian and protector of God’s people on earth, especially Israel. He supports God’s people amid spiritual warfare.
Michael appears in crucial moments in biblical history and prophecy – contending with Satan over Moses’ body, leading angelic armies to defeat Satan, and defending Israel in the end times. He points to the ultimate victory of God over Satan through Christ’s finished work. And with joyful praise, he worships the Lamb upon the throne – the Lord Jesus Christ.
The name Michael means “Who is like God?” No one measures up to the absolute holiness, glory, wisdom, power, and authority of the eternal God. Yet Michael the archangel reflects God’s majesty and upholds His will. His greatness derives from his Creator and the Lord he serves. This mighty angelic prince offers a glimpse of the greatness of the God who dispatches him to fulfill His perfect plans.