Michael the Archangel

Michael is known as an archangel in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  The earliest surviving mention of his name are in third and second century BCE Jewish works, often but not always apocalyptic.  He was the chief of the angels and archangels, responsible for the care of Israel.  Christianity adopted nearly all the Jewish traditions concerning him.  He was explicitly mentioned here in Revelation, where he battled with Satan.  The earliest surviving mention of Michael is in a third century BCE Jewish apocalyptic work, the Book of Enoch.  He was listed as one of seven archangels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord.  His task was the care of Israel and the commander of the heavenly armies.  He served as the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary.  The fall of Satan at the coming of Jesus marked the separation of the New Testament from the Old Testament.  For many Catholics, the Archangel Michael saves souls in purgatory, as the leader of the army of God, the heaven’s forces, the spiritual warrior against evil.  The archangel Michael is the angel of death, carrying the souls of all the deceased to heaven. Besides guarding the chosen people in the Old Testament, he is also the guardian of the Church.  Some Protestant denominations consider Michael another name for Jesus.  What do you know about the archangel Michael?

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