Archangels

GABRIEL

He is referred to twice in the Old Testament, and referred to as "the man Gabriel," because having the appearance of a man. In the first instance, he appeared to the prophet Daniel to explain a vision he had seen but did not understand (Daniel 8:1-19). In the second instance, he likewise appeared to Daniel, this time in response to prayer and to instruct him further in regard to the vision he had seen. (9:2023)

Gabriel is likewise mentioned twice in the New Testament. In the first instance, he appeared to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, to announce to him the birth of the latter, stating "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings" (Luke 1:5-23). And six months later he was sent from God to "a city of Galilee, named Nazareth," to a virgin named Mary, to announce to her that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son, whom she was to call Jesus, and who would be called the Son of the Most-High. (1:26-38)

MICHAEL

After a certain vision of Daniel, one was sent by God to explain to him the significance of it, yet that one had been delayed by the prince of the kingdom of Persia; but, said he to Daniel, "Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me." And before departing, he told him, "there is none that holds with me against these [the prince of Persia and the prince of Greece], but Michael your prince." (see Daniel 10:1-21, with Michael’s name mentioned in vs.13,21.) And in 12:1, he is mentioned again by name, and described as "the great prince who stands for the children of thy people" – Daniel’s people, the holy ones of the Jews.

In the New Testament, in Jude 9, he is called "Michael the archangel" (the highest level of angel), and describes as having contended with the devil and "disputed about the body of Moses." And, finally, in Revelation 12;7-9, we read: "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him." All this was seen by John in a vision, while on the Isle of Patmos.