At last...Michael

Okay, finally, at long last, we are going to get to Michael.

You’ll remember that when we left off, we were in the Book of Daniel, specifically the second part, in which Daniel has a series of dazzling, terrifying, apocalyptic visions. Always before, he’s been comforted by Gabriel, the first angel mentioned by *name* in the Bible.

But, chapter 10 opens with Daniel truly distraught. Understand, he has seen the future, or at least thinks he has. He knows that it is full of monsters and horrors. He knows his people, the people of Judea, are fated for long periods of suffering and trial.

So, he is fasting. He has not eaten for three weeks.(1) One morning, in spite of his hunger and thirst, he goes for a walk along the Tigris. He looks up and sees a mysterious being, presumably Gabriel, whom he has met before. But this time, Gabriel is terrifying and magnificent: “His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.”(2)

Gabriel then apologizes for his delay in coming to Daniel during his time of distress. But, he says, he was held back by “the prince of Persia.” This is no human being. This is the guardian angel, or perhaps spirit of Persia which opposed Gabriel for its own purposes. Fortunately, Gabriel had aid. After 21 days, “...but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me...” (3)

And here, finally, we have Michael.

About the image: This is “The Three Angels And Tobias,” by Francesco Botticini (1446-1498). It shows Michael (far left, in armor) along with Gabriel and Raphael, escorting the young Tobias on his quest. The story is told in “The Book of Tobit,” which dates from the third or second century BCE. It is a rather gothic tale involving romance, travel, the defeat of a demon (Asmodeus), and eventually a happy ending. The Book only mentions Raphael, but Botticini threw in Michael and Gabriel for good measure.

This image can be found on Wikipedia (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Francesco_Botticini_-_I_tre_Arcangeli_e_Tobias.jpg) and is believed to be in the public domain.

He appears again in Daniel 10:21, again as a protector, and a warrior of the Lord. “But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”(4)

Notice what’s happening here. Michael is the prince of Daniel, and by extension, Israel. And he will be standing in battle with Gabriel in his struggles against Israel’s enemies.

And, so at last, Michael appears in person in Daniel 12:1. Before we see him, though, we learn in Daniel 11 that a evil, arrogant king will arise in the future to oppress the world. However, he is destroyed. It isn’t clear exactly by whom. Could it be Michael himself? Anyway, then, in the very next chapter, we are told: “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered..”(5)

After Michael’s triumph, the dead shall rise from their graves. The wise and the good shall be blessed, and the evil and sinful will be punished. The End.

Again, notice what’s happening. This is the first time Michael has appeared anywhere in canonical literature. He has *never* been named in the Bible before. Ever. But...in Daniel, he is already a completely formed character. His personality, his powers, his role in the universe...all are well established and clearly defined. He is the defender of Israel and of good people everywhere. Simply put, the author of Daniel expects his readers to know who Michael is, and to know what Michael’s job is in the universe. They even know Michael’s name. This is an angel who needs no introduction.

Which, of course, is one of the reasons that I believe Michael has been around all this time, maybe ever before the First Temple. I think he’s been there...in folklore, in stories, in fairy tales, and in popular religion...maybe rejected by the Priestly establishment, but alive and well in the hearts and minds of the common people.

Okay, but why is it that now...of all times...in the midst of war and destruction... Michael comes out of the shadows? Why, at this moment, is he allowed into the Bible?

For that, I think, we need to go back to history...

And forward, into human psychology.

More to come.

Footnotes:

1. “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”

2. Daniel 10:6

3. Daniel 10:13

4. The full text, including Daniel 10:20, is “Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Greece shall come.

“But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”

5. Daniel 12:1

Copyright©2026 Michael Jay Tucker

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