[Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] AmazingFacts devotion: WHO IS MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL? PART 2

[Shelly Duffy]

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WHO IS MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL? PART 2
October 07, 2021 

Average reading time is about 5 minutes


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First, let’s consider the meaning of some words and names. In the Greek New Testament, the word “angel” means “messenger,” and “arch” means “chief, principle, greatest, or highest.” So “archangel” simply means “highest or greatest messenger.” 

The Hebrew name “Michael,” found in the Old Testament, means “who is like God” or “Who is like God?” So the title “Michael the archangel” can be translated as the “greatest messenger who is God.” Whether this name is a question, statement, or a challenge will be clear by further study. One angel did profess to be like God. That covering cherub fallen from heavenly courts is Lucifer, who became the devil or Satan by claiming to “be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). In Revelation 12:7, Satan is opposed by “Michael and his angels” and is cast out of heaven. 

The phrase “angel of the Lord” is found 68 times in Scripture. Sometimes it applies to Gabriel, who appeared to Daniel, Zacharias, and Mary. But Gabriel is called “an” angel of the Lord (Luke 1:11). He is not referred to as “the” angel of the Lord. Neither is he ever called the archangel. Gabriel is probably one of the two covering cherubs who flank the throne of God. 

Remember that he said to Zacharias, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God” (Luke 1:19). Lucifer once held the other position before his fall (Ezekiel 28:14). If the highest rank held by an angel is that of the covering cherubs by God’s throne, then what is an archangel?

If Christ came to Earth and became a man in His battle against Satan to save humans, He might also have, in some way, identified with the angels to protect them from Satan’s evil influence in heaven. In fact, there are several references in Scripture to a mysterious being identified as “the angel of the Lord” before Christ’s earthly incarnation. Yet each time He is mentioned, there are clues to His identity. 



KEY BIBLE TEXTS 
"Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."
Jude 1:9


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Shelley Duffy