1. The name Michael means, "Who is like God". In the Bible he is called "one of the chief princes" (Daniel 10:13) and "the great prince" (Daniel 12:1).
2. Michael is usually shown with a sword, or carrying the scales of justice. Renaissance paintings show him wearing armor. These symbolize his strength, courage, truth and integrity. Michael is engaged in a ceaseless war against the forces of evil. His most famous example of this occurred when he cast Lucifer and his followers out of Heaven.
3. According to the apocryphal Book of Adam and Eve, Michael kept a close eye on the couple after they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. He taught Adam how to farm, and persuaded God to allow Adam's soul to return to Heaven after he died.
4. An ancient tradition says Michael told Sarah, Abraham's wife, that she would bear a son. Although not mentioned by name, it is believed that Michael was the "angel of the Lord" who stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:10).
5. Michael guides departed souls to the next world. This came about because, according to the Testament of Abraham, Michael told Abraham he was about to die. Abraham asked God if he could see all the wonders of the world so that he could die with no regrets. Michael developed his guiding expertise by taking Abraham on a tour of the inhabited world. Afterwards, he took Abraham home to prepare for his death.
6. Michael is believed to have rescued Daniel from the lion's den. It is also believed that he was responsible for the plague on Egypt that ultimately led the Israelites to freedom. It was probably Michael who appeared to Joshua and called himself "captain of the host of the Lord." (Joshua 5:13-15) Michael also appeared to Gideon and gave him the courage to fight his foes (Judges 6:11-18).
7. In the Islamic tradition, Mika'il (Michael) is in charge of the forces of nature, and has an army of angels to help him. He has magnificent wings of green topaz. Mika'il has a million tongues, each of which can speak a million languages. His long saffron hair reaches to his feet, and each hair contains a million faces. Each face contains a million eyes that cry seventy thousand tears. He takes life seriously and never laughs.
8. Joan of Arc (c.1412-1431) began hearing, and ultimately seeing, Michael at the age of thirteen. He gave her constant encouragement, and even suggested the flag she should use when leading her army.
9. Pope Leo XIII wrote a famous prayer that starts: "St. Michael, the Archangel, Defend us in battle, Keep us safe from the wickedness and snares of the devil." He wrote this after a vision in which he saw Michael sending Satan back to hell. This prayer still provides comfort to many people.
10. Between 1961 and 1965, the Virgin Mary appeared several times to four children in Garabandal, Spain, telling them to change their way of life, make penances and attend church more frequently. Four years later, Michael appeared to the children and repeated the message. He also told them that if they prayed sincerely, they would receive whatever it was they prayed for.
Richard Webster is author of more than eighty books including Michael, Spirit Guides and Angel Guardians, Miracles, Raphael and Gabriel. His website is http://www.psychic.co.nz
Though closely akin and sometimes used synonymously, John Rawls distinguish... Read More
In Corrogue I feel wonderful.As friends know I love singing.... Read More
As we walk along our paths in life, we will... Read More
Being a Christian does not exempt us from having to... Read More
Inspirational author Vernon Howard wrote, "Would you be worried over... Read More
Rose Ann Schwab is an internationally and world renowned professional... Read More
As we proceed further into the 21st century there is... Read More
Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and... Read More
(Channelled)Roy, this morning in "Roy Bits," you tried to write... Read More
Last NAN I explained how to petition the female Saints... Read More
The Orisha are the Messengers of Oludumare, the God/dess of... Read More
My lady Lydia was a Hawkins of the ancestry of... Read More
The lighter side of Tarot deals with games played using... Read More
In part one, I described an existence that is absolute,... Read More
Hello, My name is Mellody Davis and here is my... Read More
For some of us, spirituality is considered a religion, and... Read More
Before we tread into the domain of Past Life... we... Read More
There's a lot of talk in meditation circles about emptying... Read More
Those living on the highest levels of life have learned... Read More
What does it take to live life holistically?It definitely does... Read More
In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in... Read More
Recently, I received a frantic midnight call from one of... Read More
What does it mean to be comfortable in your own... Read More
How a Divine "Dream", gave me a Spiritual Principle for... Read More
He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really... Read More
"We're one, but we are not the same."-Bono, U2Once I... Read More
Each time our children graduate from one stage to another... Read More
1. Raphael means "God heals." Raphael heals physical, emotional and... Read More
The chakras are different coloured energy centres that originate from... Read More
Ok, let's start with the amazing story of Robbie and... Read More
Is it really possible that Don Juan could command the... Read More
In a recent case study which I also summarized in... Read More
I am sure many of you reading this article have... Read More
The Emmaus Journal What is Wrong With Being Common? This... Read More
Following are 17 questions that can be used as a... Read More
Matthew 2:19-23 The Return to Nazareth19 But when Herod died,... Read More
Meeting someone so attractive, so beautiful. Your heart beats like... Read More
The bible has many accounts throughout time that He used... Read More
It will all be clear in a minute, but first... Read More
I was reminiscing with a friend recently about his 'dark... Read More
I'm not sure Paul had the Japanese culture in mind... Read More
We have all heard the phrase, "follow your nose". This... Read More
As we go through life we all have to deal... Read More
... Read More
A feeling of fulfillment is something we all seek. Here... Read More
Many of you already own several lucky charms or talismans.... Read More
Sometimes trying to be spiritual holds us back from actually... Read More
Come on now!? Really? This is going too far, you... Read More
One night, whilst watching TV, I understood a very useful... Read More
We often forget that we are human beings first, and... Read More
Spirituality |