Today is the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. I guess you could say that technically Michael is not a saint since he is not a human being. He is an angel. He is only one of two angles named in the Scriptures, with Gabriel being the other. As we read about them in the Bible, we are reminded of the truth that the Apostle Paul tells us in in Ephesians, that “we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against rulers…against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” What the Scriptures tell us is that God uses his Holy Angels to help us in this fight.

Daniel is ministered to by Gabriel, who tells him:

10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come…18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.” (ESV)

Later, in the Book of Revelation, we are told the story of Michael’s fight with the dragon, Satan:

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (ESV)

We only need to open our eyes of faith and see that the things of the world are temporal, but the things of the spiritual world, where God and His Angels dwell, are eternal.

Everlasting God, by whom the ministries of angels and humans have been ordained and constituted in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve you in heaven, so by your command they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Shane+