Archangel Michael in the Bible

Scriptures of St. Michael the Archangel

But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” ~ Jude 1:9

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. ~ Daniel 12:1

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, ~ Daniel 10:13

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:16

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. ~ Daniel 10:21

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, ~ Matthew 13:41

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 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. ~ Revelation 12:7-9

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel from James Joyce's novel Ulysses.

Blessed Michael, the archangel, defend us in the hour of conflict.

Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil

(may God restrain him, we humbly pray):

and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,

by the power of God thrust Satan down to hell

and with him those other wicked spirits

who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

The Archangel Michael will play a significant part in end-time events. “Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise” (Daniel 12:1). He might be the angel of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 of whom Paul writes “the Lord Himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” This angel leads a host of angels in a victorious war over Satan and His demons in Revelation 12. 

Michael is not merely one of the angels but the head of a battalion of angels, though not their ultimate leader; that would be God. Christ’s apostles would have understood military hierarchy exemplified by the Roman system where Caesar was in command and the senate operated as an “advisory body to Rome's magistrates.” Top military officials were drawn from the senate, consisting of Roman citizens.  

In other words, an angelic hierarchy would have made sense to listeners during the time of Christ, which is why artists have often depicted Michael as a warrior (here is an example by Raphael). Michael is portrayed as the “great captain” of angels “and the warrior helping the children of Israel.” He was recognized as the “helper of the church’s armies against the heathen and against the attacks of the Devil” and “numerous representations of Michael in art reflect his character as a warrior.”

Excerpt from "Who Is the Archangel Michael?" on Christianity.com

Image from Wikipedia