October 12: WHEN MICHAEL STANDS UP
At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people. Daniel 12:1a
What time are we looking at here? It is when news from the east and the north (v.44) greatly disturbs the king of the North. This report concerns the return of Jesus to earth to lay claim to His bride. The king of the North is disturbed because his position in the world is threatened when spiritual eyes of people are opened. The loyalty and allegiance of many will shift from the counterfeit god of a jewel-encrusted earthly temple in Rome to the God of the Universe in His heavenly sanctuary, the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man (Hebrews 8:2).
Michael, whose name means who is as God, is a special name for Jesus in His role as watcher and defender. The peace-loving Prince of Peace has engaged in battles on behalf of His people. Even though we are called to be pro-active participants (Philippians 2:12) in the sanctification process, there are times when He must fight for us (Exodus 14:13; 2 Chronicles 20:17). At such times, we are to stand firm in the exercise of faith in His power! Even angels have need of His help, as Gabriel shared (Daniel 10:13, 21; see also Revelation 12:7).
Moses died a sinner’s death, and he also received a special resurrection as a forgiven sinner. Satan, according to the rules of engagement, lays claim to every sinner; he felt his claim upon Moses. But Michael the archangel overruled that claim (Jude 9). Jesus, the Son of God, is not a created being as are regular angels; He created them and He is their Commander-In-Chief. Only the voice of Jesus the archangel, has power to raise the dead (John 11:43; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He stepped into the humble role of messenger from heaven. He is the chiefest of messengers! Angel means messenger. The Angel of the LORD appeared in the Old Testament: to Hagar, and she called Him the-God-Who-Sees (Genesis 16:7-13); to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6); to Joshua, Gideon, Manoah and his wife (Joshua 5:14; Judges 6:11-24; 13:6-23). As the Angel of the LORD He accepted worship. But note that regular angels never accept worship (Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9); neither should humans (Acts 10:25-26).
As our great High Priest, He is seated at God’s right hand in heaven (Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 8:1). When Jewish leaders and brethren stoned Stephen, He stood up, marking the end of probation for the Jews as a nation (Acts 7:55), making a distinctive end to the seventy weeks prophecy of Daniel 9:24. When the future day comes that He shall stand up, probation will end for the earth. Every single individual will have either the seal of God or the mark of the beast, fulfilling the proclamation of Revelation 22:11. The plagues of Revelation 16 will begin to fall. The Lord will remove His priestly robe and put on His kingly one.
The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” Psalm 110:1
Note: Some translations rightly refer to the Archangel as GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies. It is unfortunate that Daniel 10:13 often renders Michael as “one of the chief princes” instead of first, or arch-commander. He is number one in preeminence, not one of several. Also, in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, the original Greek did not have an article ahead of archangel. Most translators added “an” when it really should be “the”.