In brief
Michael is an angel, a servant of God, whom Jude calls “Michael, the archangel,” while the book of Daniel presents him as one of the chief princes and the defender of Daniel's people. Jude reports that he was contending with the devil about the body of Moses, without daring to bring an abusive condemnation against him. In Revelation, Michael and his angels fight the dragon, who is thrown down. What we remember is that victory comes from God, to whom Michael himself leaves the judgment.
What does the name Michael the Archangel mean?
The name Michael is Hebrew. It is generally understood as a question: “Who is like God?” The Bible gives no explanation of it, but this meaning fits an angel who refers all authority back to the Lord.
The story of Michael the Archangel
Michael comes to help
Daniel 10:12-14After Daniel's three weeks of mourning, a man clothed in linen appears to him. He tells him that his words were heard from the first day, but that the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood him for twenty-one days. “Michael, one of the chief princes,” then came to his help.
Michael, your prince
Daniel 10:20-21The messenger announces that he is returning to fight the prince of Persia, and that afterward the prince of Greece will come. He adds: “There is no one who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince.” The text hints at an invisible struggle tied to the history of the nations, without giving the details.
The defender of the people
Daniel 12:1-3At the time of the end, “Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people”. It will be a time of trouble such as never was, but those found written in the book will be delivered. The passage also announces the resurrection, some to everlasting life, others to shame.
May the Lord rebuke you
Jude 1:9Jude reports that the archangel Michael was contending with the devil and arguing over the body of Moses. He dared not bring an abusive condemnation against him, but said: “May the Lord rebuke you!” Jude cites this example against those who despise authority and speak abusively of what they do not know.
War in heaven
Revelation 12:7-11In John's vision, “Michael and his angels made war on the dragon.” The dragon, the old serpent called the devil and Satan, is thrown down to the earth with his angels. A loud voice proclaims the salvation and the Kingdom of God. The believers overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.
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What Michael the Archangel teaches us
- Michael is a servant of God: victory over evil belongs to the Lord, and he alone is to be worshiped.
- Facing the devil, the right attitude is not insult, but trust in the authority of the Lord.
- The spiritual struggle is real, but God watches over his people and prayer is never in vain.
- Satan is a defeated enemy: believers triumph by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.
- God's people can go through distress with hope, because those who are written in the book will be delivered.
Key verses
Michael is presented as the great prince, the defender of the children of Daniel's people, in a time of unparalleled distress when those written in the book will be delivered.
Even the archangel Michael does not dare bring an abusive condemnation against the devil: he leaves the judgment to the Lord. A lesson in humility in spiritual warfare.
Michael and his angels fight the dragon, who is thrown down to the earth. The devil, the deceiver of the whole world, no longer has a place in heaven.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Michael the Archangel
Frequently asked questions
Is the archangel Michael Jesus?
No. The Bible presents Michael as an angel: Jude calls him the archangel, and in Daniel he is “one of the chief princes” who comes to help. He must not be confused with Jesus, the Son of God, whom all the angels worship (Hebrews 1:6). Michael does not dare to judge the devil and defers to the Lord (Jude 9), whereas Christ has received all authority.
What does the name Michael mean?
The name Michael comes from Hebrew and is generally read as a question: “Who is like God?” The Bible does not comment on this name, but everything it says about Michael shows him in the service of God, deferring to the Lord in the face of the devil.
Where is the archangel Michael found in the Bible?
Michael is named five times: in Daniel 10:13, 10:21 and 12:1, where he defends the people of God; in Jude 9, where he contends with the devil about the body of Moses; and in Revelation 12:7, where he fights the dragon with his angels. For the context, read Daniel 10 to 12 and Revelation 12.