Angels 4 Archangels

ARCHANGELS

Jude 9

Jude 9 NKJV

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!”

Daniel 10:13

Daniel 10:13 NKJV

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

The archangel appears to be an angel of the highest order.

The word means chief angel, and is used only twice in Scripture.

From this verse (& Daniel 10:13), we can presume that there are more than one archangel (an archangel, as opposed to the archangel).

We can't be sure what an archangel looks like, because Scripture never describes their appearance. However, they must be a powerful and terrifying sight.

A terrifying sight

Daniel 10:10-12

Daniel 10:10–12 NKJV

Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

This unnamed angel is probably an archangel himself, although we can't be totally sure.

We also know that they are associated with the rapture.

Involved in the rapture

1 Thessalonians 4:16

1 Thessalonians 4:16 NKJV

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.

This particular archangel is probably Michael.

Daniel 12:1

Daniel 12:1 NKJV

“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

Michael is only mentioned by name 5 times in Scripture, but he plays a very important role.

Michael is described as a prince, which would denote a position of great authority in God's hierarchy.

Princes of God

Daniel 10:12-13

Daniel 10:12–13 NKJV

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

Daniel 10:21

Daniel 10:21 NKJV

But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.

We know from Scripture that Michael is a very powerful warrior and protector, who is assigned to protect Israel.

Warrior and protector

Daniel 12:1

Daniel 12:1 NKJV

“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

They also command other angels, akin to a general.

Commanders

Revelation 12:7

Revelation 12:7 NKJV

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,

Gabriel, although never called an Archangel, is widely thought to be one.

The specific identity of Gabriel as an archangel, is actually derived from the apocryphal books Tobit, Jubilees and 1 Enoch.

Since Scripture never identifies him as such, we can only speculate on this point, but he does have a very prominent and important role.

Unlike Michael, Gabriel's role seems to be more of a messenger.

We will stop short of calling him an archangel, (I'll leave that conclusion up to you), but we will include him in this study.

So, what can we learn from Gabriel?

Gabriel means "strong man of God" and is mentioned 4 times in Scripture.

Twice in the O.T., and twice in the N.T.

He is an interpreter of visions. He directly interprets God's prophecy.

Interpreter of visions

Daniel 8:15-26

Daniel 9:20-27

Not only that, but he is a messenger of the highest order. For it was Gabriel who brought the news John the Baptist and of Christ.

Messengers

Luke 1:8-20

Luke 1:26-38

As we can see, these angels have a special role and authority in God's kingdom.

Even so, we see that even in their great authority, they serve God by serving man.

They have guided man's path by delivering interpretation of prophecy.

They have, and will, protected God's people through perilous times.

They have directly brought news of the Savior.

That beings of such great power and authority would be of such service to us, should be very humbling.