Michael the Archangel is the angel appointed to stand guard over Israel (Daniel 12:1-3). He and his angels battle Satan and his angels at the midpoint of the tribulation. Michael wins the battle, casts Satan out of heaven, and throws him to the earth (Revelation 12:7-9).
Only Michael is Called an Archangel
How many archangels are there? Archangel means he’s the head angel, and Michael’s the only angel called an archangel in the Bible (Jude 9). Some people suggest that Gabriel’s an archangel along with Michael. But that seems unlikely since, if he was, a lower-ranking angel couldn’t have restrained him.
Michael Helps Lesser-ranked Angels
As God’s prophet, Daniel interceded for his people, the Jews. Daniel prayed, and God heard and immediately sent the angel Gabriel to answer him. But an evil angel whom Gabriel called, “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood (Gabriel) for twenty-one days” (Daniel 7:12).
The Bible doesn’t tell us how angels restrain each other or keep them from completing their mission. The restraining angel was more powerful than Gabriel, “so Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me (Gabriel), for I had been left there with the kings of Persia” (Daniel 7:12-13).
Michael Protects Israel
Gabriel continues explaining his mission to Daniel:
“But now I (Gabriel) shall return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, then truly the prince of Greece will come…. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces, except Michael your (Israel’s) prince (Daniel 7:20-21).
Michael Helps Deliver Israel During the Tribulation
Michael has a particular assignment in the spiritual realm to guard the nation of Israel.
“And at that time (the seventieth week, the tribulation) Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people (Israel). And there shall be a time of trouble (the tribulation) such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered” (Daniel 12:1).
Michael is the highest-ranking good angel. But Satan outranks him. All authority comes from God, so He expects every being, human and angelic, to respect the lines of authority (Romans 13:1-2). Jude uses Michael as an example:
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil … did not dare to pronounce upon him a railing judgment. But he said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9).
Michael Defeats Satan
But in the future tribulation, God will empower Michael to defeat Satan:
“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (Satan), and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was there a place for them in heaven any longer. The great dragon was cast out, that ancient serpent called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him” (Revelation 12:7-9).
Satan will be Limited to Earth
The second half of the tribulation will be much worse because Satan’s wrath, especially against Israel and believers, is limited to earthly horrors:
“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe unto the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12).
Summary
• Michael’s the only angel called an archangel in the Bible (Jude 9).
• Michael helps other angels complete their mission and battle against evil angels (Daniel 7:12).
• Michael is God’s specially appointed guardian of Israel and will rise in the tribulation to help deliver the Jews.
• Though Satan currently outranks Michael, at the midpoint of the tribulation, Michael and his angels defeat Satan and his angels and throw them out of heaven and down to the earth.