Revelation 12:7-8 (KJV): “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; the dragon fought and his angels and prevailed not; neither was their place found anymore in heaven.”
Saint Michael is regarded as the patron saint of police officers and our armed forces. The name Michael can be translated as “Who is like God?” from the original Hebrew phrase “Mi-Ka-el,” which appears in the text.
Saint Michael is only one of two angels named in the Christian Bible. The other angel was Gabriel. Gabriel is known as God’s messenger, while Michael is often called the leader of God’s armies of angels. Michael is the enforcer and protector of heaven and God’s chosen people, and he enforces God’s will by battling and subduing the demons, particularly Satan.
Saint Michael is closely associated with the work of police officers and our armed forces. Saint Michael protects the innocent and fights against injustice. Saint Michael’s battle with Satan represents law enforcement’s ongoing battle against evil. Police officers like Saint Michael must remain brave and attentive to serve and protect.
In the Book of Revelation, Saint Michael leads the armies of God against Satan and his armies of darkness. He is described as a warrior armed with a sword and shield. This image of Saint Michael has inspired not only police officers but others.
Saint Michael is mentioned in other books of the Bible, including the Book of Revelation. In the Book of Daniel, he is called the “great prince” who protects God’s people. Saint Michael fought the devil over Moses’ body in the Epistle of Jude.
In addition to Christianity, Saint Michael is respected by Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mormons. They believe Saint Michael is an alias for other persons named in Scripture, and Michael is another name for Jesus himself. Mormons believe that Michael is Adam reincarnated in heaven. Saint Michael is also identified in Islam as being responsible for the forces of nature, the ancestor of other angels. In addition to strict faith-based custom, belief systems with elements of supernatural influence or general spirituality perceive Saint Michael as battling the forces of darkness.
Saint Michael’s role as the protector of Israel, and later all of God’s chosen people, is well established in the Bible. We can be assured that God will use all means to deliver his people from the evil forces of sin. Saint Michael will act under God’s loving hand to fight Satan’s evil armies and work God’s deliverance into salvation forever.
When we consider God’s role in Saint Michael, it is a time to honor and respect law enforcement and the members of our armed forces. They take on the responsibility of protecting our cities, communities, and country at the risk of their own lives, which they voluntarily commit to. Many of these heroes choose to march under the banner and the example of Saint Michael, the archangel who presides over God’s angelic armed forces.
Pray that our law enforcement officers and armed forces always follow Saint Michael’s example in their service to us.