Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

The name Michael (lit., “who as God?”) has been interpreted as a designation of the
second person of the Trinity. But this is no more tenable than the identification of
Gabriel with the Holy Spirit. Michael is mentioned in Dan. 10:13,21; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7.
From the fact that he is called “the archangel” in Jude 9, and from the expression used
in Rev. 12:7 it would seem that he occupies an important place among the angels. The
passages in Daniel also point to the fact that he is a prince among them. We see in him
the valiant warrior fighting the battles of Jehovah against the enemies of Israel and
against the evil powers in the spirit-world. It is not impossible that the title “archangel”
also applies to Gabriel and a few other angels.
E. THE SERVICE OF THE ANGELS
We can distinguish between an ordinary and an extraordinary service of the angels.
1. THEIR ORDINARY SERVICE. This consists first of all in their praising God day and
night, Job 38:7; Isa. 6; Ps. 103:20; 148:2; Rev. 5:11. Scripture gives the impression that they
do this audibly, as at the birth of Christ, though we can form no conception of this
speaking and singing of the angels. Since the entrance of sin into the world they are sent
forth to minister to them that are heirs of salvation, Heb. 1:14. They rejoice at the
conversion of a sinner, Luke 15:10, watch over believers, Ps. 34:7; 91:11, protect the little
ones, Matt. 18:10, are present in the Church, I Cor. 11:10; I Tim. 5:21, learning from her
the manifold riches of the grace of God, Eph. 3:10; I Pet. 1:12, and convey believers into
the bosom of Abraham, Luke 16:22. The idea that some of them serve as guardians of
individual believers finds no support in Scripture. The statement in Matt. 18:10 is too
general to prove the point, though it seems to indicate that there is a group of angels
who are particularly charged with the care of the little ones. Neither is it proved by Acts
12:15, for this passage merely goes to show that there were some even among the
disciples of that early day who believed in guardian angels.
2. THEIR EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE. The extraordinary service of the angels was made
necessary by the fall of man, and forms an important element in the special revelation of
God. They often mediate the special revelations of God, communicate blessings to His
people, and execute judgment upon His enemies. Their activity is most prominent in
the great turning points of the economy of salvation, as in the days of the patriarchs, the
time of the lawgiving, the period of the exile and of the restoration, and at the birth, the
resurrection, and the ascension of the Lord. When the period of God’s special revelation
closed, the extraordinary service of the angels ceased, to be resumed only at the return
of the Lord.
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