THE TIME OF GREATEST DISTRESS

Notice that it is the Archangel Michael who leads the war against Satan in Heaven (Rev 12:7). Michael is only seen fighting in one other place inside scripture, in the book of Daniel.

“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 3 But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” (Dan 12:1-4, NASB)

Daniel describes a time of great distress for the people of Israel, unlike anything that has happened before. This would be worse than the European Pogroms of the Holocaust. But Michael will protect Israel and then the resurrection of the dead and final judgment will follow. Some will rise to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel sees the time of the end as the worst time of distress for Israel, unlike anything else ever seen before in history. This ends with a battle where the Archangel Michael protects Israel, followed by the resurrection of the dead to final judgment.

In Revelation, after the Messiah is taken up into Heaven John sees war break out there. Michael fights against Satan and Satan is cast out. Satan roams the world deceiving the nations and is eventually bound in the Abyss for the one thousand years. Afterward Satan is released and once again deceives the nations. Then Satan leads the nations of the world in a final attack on Jerusalem. John sees Satan finally defeated and thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, followed by the resurrection of the dead to the final judgment.

Daniel and John both see the Archangel Michael in their visions. They both see a time of the greatest distress for Jerusalem as being followed by the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment. As the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment has not happened yet, neither has the final attack on Jerusalem happened.

Daniel and John both see the Archangel Michael in their vision. They both see a time of the greatest distress for Jerusalem as being followed by the resurrection of the dead and the final judgement. As the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment have not happened yet, neither has this final attack on Jerusalem happened. However, in this final attack, the time of greatest distress for Israel, the Archangel Michael will protect and defend Jerusalem. And then Satan will finally be defeated, followed by the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment.