~ Michael the Archangel ~
General Information ~
Angels are powerful spiritual beings who perform specific tasks on
behalf of God. Angels are mentioned many
times in Scripture but seldom by name.
Meaning of Michael ~ Scripture
records the names of three specific angels.
Each of these have interesting meanings of their names when contrasted
with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Michael is an amazing angel. Michael in the original language has the
meaning “Who is like the Lord?”
Meaning of Archangel ~ “Likewise also these dreamers defile the
flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael
the Archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the
body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said,
‘The Lord rebuke you!’ But these speak
evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute
beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have
run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion
of Korah” (Jude 8-11).
In the Bible
only Michael is referred to as “The Archangel” – he is the highest order of
angels, or the Chief of Angels. While
not mentioned in Scripture it is possible that there are other archangels. Although Jude 9 refers to Michael as “the” archangel it is possible that if
there are other archangels and that Michael is their leader (consider the next
passage in the next paragraph).
“For this we
say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the
coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of an
archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the
Lord. Therefore comfort one another with
these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).
Appearances of Michael ~ Scripture
records the following appearances of Michael:
To
Daniel (Daniel 10:13, 21, 12:1-2), to
Satan while he was on earth (Jude 9),
and to Satan while he was in heaven
(Revelation 12:7-9). As we look at those
passages we find that Michael is often in viewed in Scripture in a battle. The most dramatic of these is in the
Revelation passage where he leads an army of angels against Satan (an example
of his high rank and responsibility).
Michael is
the most powerful of the angels. He is
closely related to Israel and the resurrection (see 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
above and Daniel 10:13, 12:1-2).
Closing Comment
~ Michael’s name means “Who is
like God” and he is known for his Godly character. But he is not God, nor is he in any way the
equal to the Son of God—The Messiah—Jesus Christ.
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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