Scripture Text – Matthew 24:3-14

The Archangel

Accompanying the Lord Jesus Christ, as He descends from the sky, will be the “archangel.” There are multitudes of angels and we know that there are angels of different rank and order. Michael, one of the archangels, was the angel whose duty it was to watch over the children of Israel. The few times that he is mentioned in the Scriptures he is always associated with the deliverance of the Israelites. Gabriel seems to be the angel to whom was entrusted the conveying of important messages from God to men—while the archangel Michael’s ministry seems to be limited to God’s ancient people Israel. Michael is their warrior. Daniel tells us in the twelfth chapter of the book of Daniel:

“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.” – Daniel 12:1.

Note the expression “sons of your people” (Daniel’s people). In every other passage where Michael the archangel is mentioned he is associated with the deliverance of the nation of Israel. How significant, then, that when the Lord shouts from the air to call His bride home, that event should be accompanied by the voice of the archangel. The taking out of the Church is also the signal for the beginning of the day of Jacob’s trouble. For twenty-five hundred years Israel, as a nation, has been scattered among all other nations and for nineteen hundred years the Jews have had no land to call their own. Jerusalem has been under the heel of their enemies. The Bible tells us that in that period between the Rapture of the Church and the setting up of the millennial kingdom there will be a time of “tribulation” and “trouble” such as the world has never seen and never will see again. This time is particularly called the “time of Jacob’s trouble.” In that day anti-Semitism will reach an all-time high—its very peak, in fact. The enemies of the Lord and of His people, according to the flesh, under the leadership of the Antichrist, will make one final attempt to annihilate and banish Israel from the earth forever.

The work that Pharaoh began in Egypt and which has been carried forth by the nations since will then reach its climax. But the same God who raised up a Moses and delivered His people from Egypt—the same God who has preserved this nation through all the succeeding centuries and millenniums—is still the same covenant-keeping God and will once more deliver them in that day of Jacob’s trouble. It seemed hopeless in the days of Pharaoh, but God was able. It has seemed hopeless many times since, but always God has delivered.

When Jesus calls the Church, the greatest day of sorrow Israel has even seen or known will begin, but the appearance of the archangel, with the Lord, is God’s guarantee and assurance that they will not be utterly destroyed but rather will be delivered and returned to their own land of Palestine. Then all the covenant promises of God will be completely fulfilled.

To Be Continued

Adapted and modified excerpts from M. R. De Haan, The Second Coming of Jesus.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.