Who is Archangel Michael and what is his work?
St Archangel Michael, also known as St Michael, or as Archangel Michael. He’s considered as the highest authority in the armies of God against evil, in the Islamic, Jewish and Christian religions.
For Christianity, the archangel Michael is considered the protector of the Church and of humanity against evil. For the Church, it is the universal patron and protector.
He is considered as the first of the 7 archangels, along with Uriel, Raphael and Gabriel. He is in charge of defeating Satan, being his main enemy, as he is the archangel of the fallen angels. That is why Archangel Michael is represented defeating the devil. Also dressed in a war armor and betting a spear on the demon. According to tradition, he will have an important role in the day of the final judgment. Consequently, he can also be seen weighing souls using a scale.
The archangel Michael is the most well known of the archangels. He is also the most invoked, the one who is prayed to the most. This is due to his role as a spiritual warrior.
The four labors of Archangel Michael
The archangel Michael is, above all, the enemy of Satan. It is also the angel of death as it is said that he offers souls the opportunity to redeem themselves before they die.
His third task is to weigh the souls in a perfect balance on the Day of Judgment. He is also the guardian of the universal Church.
The Archangel Michael in the scriptures
The name of the archangel Michael means “Who is like God”. In the writings of the Abrahamic religions, the archangel Michael is known as the leader of the armies of angels. He is the “Chief of the Armies of God” in the Jewish, Islamic and Christian religions. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16, he will sound the trumpet on the day of the rapture. His name is mentioned both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament of the Bible.
Historical references to Archangel Michael
The authority and virtues of Archangel Michael have been recognized for many centuries by governmental and ecclesiastical authorities. Constantine (Roman emperor), attributed in his time the defeat of his adversaries to Archangel Michael. One of the first appearances recorded of the Virgin Mary with the winged figure was that of the Virgin of Fatima in 1916.
References in the Bible to the Archangel Michael
In the book of Revelation, the greatest of the archangels can be seen fighting against evil:
“There was a great fight in the heavens. Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon. Also the Dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place in Heaven for them. And the Dragon was thrown, the ancient Serpent, the so-called Devil and Satan, the seducer of the whole world; He was thrown to the earth and his angels with him. “(Revelation 12, 7-9)
The Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
Origin of the famous prayer
According to tradition, on October 13, 1884, Pope Leon XIII celebrated a mass. In it, he had a vision where he could observe Satan and his demons facing God. Then the archangel Michael appeared and sent the demon and his armies to the abyss from which they came. For this reason, the Pope himself wrote a prayer that had to be sent to all the bishops of the world, so that it could be recited at every Mass. And so it continued to be done until the Second Vatican Council.
Attributes of Archangel Michael
Due to these religious references, the archangel Michael is represented with the armor of a warrior or a centurion soldier. The most frequent image shows him as the conqueror of Satan, with the heel on the head of the fallen angel. He almost always carries a sword or a spear, but he can also carry a scale, keys or chains in his hands, as well as a cloak.
The attributes of Archangel Michael refer to his role as a vigilante, protector of the innocent and judge of evil.
The symbolism of the archangel Michael
The image of the archangel Michael is based literally on the biblical verses. The book of Joshua mentions him as “Captain of the Lord’s Armies” (Joshua 5: 13-15).
However, it also has another level of meaning that reflects the human condition. Each attribute of the archangel Michael possesses an essential symbolism to understand his role in the life of the human being:
The image of a warrior represents the defense against the forces of evil and darkness that beset the human being, such as ignorance, unconsciousness and slavery to material and emotional attachments.
His title “Prince of Light” represents the illumination of the path of the human being to free him from the darkness of fear.
His armor means the willpower to face the challenges of life. It also represents faith and security in good.
The helmet means invisibility, invulnerability and power. Protects thoughts from negativity.
The shield represents the universe. It is the protection that tells your adversary that he can not overcome love.
The sword represents the light that gives spiritual strength. With this force divine peace and justice are established. The sword also means the weapon of truth. With it, the veil that creates ignorance is broken.
The scale means justice, balance and order. In the scales hang good and bad actions, balanced by love and kindness that redeems the human soul.
When he carries keys, they represent the power to open the doors of heaven to the souls that through their actions, thoughts and feelings have gained entry.
The chains represent their power to break the bonds that enslave the human being through vices and attachments.
The mantle represents protection and the power to inhabit the space where positive and negative beings coexist. With it, it protects human beings from the negative vibrations of evil beings.
Both literally and symbolically, the archangel Michael represents justice and the struggle for good. His role in the biblical scriptures highlights him as the captain of the armies of God, which are the forces of good in the universe. Its meaning implies protection, security, power, overcoming obstacles and the destruction of fear and doubt.
Therefore, the archangel Michael inspires the human being to dress with the symbols of his armor.
Remember you can book a reading with Daniela Decastro who is a reader, channeller and Psychic Medium who works with the angels.