Michael the archangel – who is he?

TL;DR:

Michael the archangel is an angel who is seen battling against the forces of evil and protecting God's people. Michael the archangel reveals to us the significance of spiritual warfare and reassures us that God has ultimate victory over evil.

what does the bible say?

Michael the archangel is a powerful spiritual being mentioned in the Bible, known for his role as a protector and warrior on behalf of God's people. He is described as "one of the chief princes" and a leader among the angels. Michael's primary role is to engage in spiritual warfare, defending God's people against demonic forces and standing against Satan and his angels. In every passage that involves him, Michael the archangel is a warrior angel, doing battle against the forces of evil (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7). He is notably involved in several key biblical events, including aiding an angelic messenger in the book of Daniel, contending with the Devil over the body of Moses in the book of Jude, and leading the heavenly army against Satan in the book of Revelation. Michael is also associated with the end times, where he plays a significant role in the final battle between good and evil. Michael the archangel demonstrates God's sovereignty over the spiritual and physical world. Michael the archangel also illuminates some of the spiritual warfare in which angels protect us, highlighting our importance in God's redemptive plan and reassuring us of God's sovereignty and ultimate victory over evil.

from the old testament

The first mention of Michael the archangel in the Bible is in the book of Daniel. He is referred to in Daniel 10:13, where he is described as one of the chief princes who came to assist an angel sent to Daniel. The verse states: "The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia" (Daniel 10:13).
The archangel Michael also battles against Satan and the fallen angels (who became demons when they rebelled against God) on God's behalf for the purpose of helping God's people (Daniel 10:21; 12:1). Michael fights against the demonic "prince of the kingdom of Persia," which enables "one in the likeness of the children of man" to reach Daniel and provide interpretation for a vision (Daniel 10). The archangel Michael is referred to as "the great prince" (Daniel 12:1) and leads the angel army directly against Satan himself (Revelation 12:7), revealing that he is an extremely high-ranking and powerful angel.
Michael the archangel is described as "the great prince who protects your people" (Daniel 12:1 NIV). Daniel is being addressed here, so "your people" refers to the Jewish people. By this we know that Michael the archangel is assigned to watch over the Jewish people. This and other passages suggest that some holy angels and also some fallen angels have spiritual authority over particular lands or people (Daniel 10:20–21). Michael the archangel is one such holy angel, and is "one of the chief princes" among them (Daniel 10:13).
Michael the archangel is also closely tied to the tribulation. In Daniel 12:1, it prophecies that Michael will "arise" and that his arrival will directly precede the tribulation (Daniel 12:1).

from the new testament

Jude 1:9 refers to Michael as "the archangel Michael," indicating he might be the only archangel of heaven, but even if he isn't, he holds prominence.
In the book of Jude, Michael the archangel is shown "contending with the devil" in a dispute over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9).
As predicted in the book of Daniel, an archangel is said to take part in the rapture. The rapture (or taking away to heaven) of the church will be announced "with the voice of an archangel," which might be Michael, though he is not specifically named (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
In the end times, Michael also wages a war against "the dragon and his angels," which are Satan (Lucifer) and the fallen angels who followed him (Revelation 12:7). Michael and his angels will defeat Satan's forces after which Satan will be thrown down to earth. Angry at his defeat, the Bible says Satan will then go to wage war against the people "who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus" (Revelation 12:17).

implications for today

The biblical accounts of Michael the archangel are humbling because they reveal that angels engage in spiritual warfare on our behalf, protecting and aiding us in ways beyond our understanding. Angelic beings fight over human lives and souls, which should give us a clue about our importance in the eyes of God (Psalm 36:7). As demonstrated in the book of Daniel, Michael intervenes against powerful spiritual forces to ensure that God's messages and plans reach His people. This celestial battle reveals the significant role we play in God's redemptive plan, as God deploys His mighty angels to defend and guide us. It is a profound reminder that we are not alone in our struggles; God's heavenly hosts are actively involved in our lives, battling unseen forces to fulfill His purposes. This divine protection and guidance illustrate the immense value God places on us, affirming our importance in His overarching plan for redemption and salvation as well as His goodness and sovereignty over all things, in heaven and on earth. Recognizing this, we can live with greater confidence and faith, knowing that God is sovereignly orchestrating events and employing His angels to accomplish His will in our lives and the world. We also have hope knowing that in the end, the holy angels will triumph over the fallen, and the blood of Jesus, the Lamb, will defeat Satan (Revelation 12:10–12; 20:7–10).

understand

Michael the archangel defends God's people against demonic forces.
Michael the archangel is a high-ranking angel and leader among angels.
The archangel Michael plays a key role in the final battle against evil.

reflect

How does the idea of spiritual warfare, as exemplified by Michael the archangel, influence your understanding of challenges in your own life?
How can you find comfort in knowing that God's angels, like Michael, are actively involved in protecting His people?
How does Michael's role in God's plan encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty and ultimate victory over evil?

engage

Michael and Lucifer were both, in the beginning, holy angels, and before Lucifer fell it is possible that they served God in a similar fashion. Much of what we assume about angels is extrapolation rather than direct revelation from the Bible, and it should be taken as such. However, it seems that the angels have ranks and duties, and that some are messengers (like Gabriel, who announced the birth of Christ) while others are warriors.
How can understanding the role of angels in spiritual warfare impact our approach to prayer and our relationship with God?
How can the example of Michael the archangel inspire us to stand firm in our faith amidst spiritual challenges?