And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
All Commentaries on Daniel 12:1 Go To Daniel 12
Aquinas Study Bible
AD 2017
Michael: means “Who is like God”; Whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed, Michael is sent, so that his action and his name may make it clear that no one can do what God does by his superior power. So also our ancient foe Satan desired in his pride to be like God, saying: I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of heaven; I will be like the Most High. He will be allowed to remain in power until the end of the world when he will be destroyed in the final punishment. Then, he will fight with the archangel Michael, as we are told by John in Revelation: A battle was fought with Michael the archangel. (St. Gregory the Great) and a time shall come: But as in the persecutions which happen from time to time, so also then God will permit these things, not because He wants power to hinder them, but because according to His wont He will through patience crown His own champions like as He did His Prophets and Apostles; to the end that having toiled for a little while they may inherit the eternal kingdom of heaven, For the martyrs during the time of the Great Tribulation shall excel all martyrs. For the martyrs of times past have wrestled with men only; but in the time of Antichrist they shall do battle with Satan in his own person. And former persecuting kings only put to death; they did not pretend to raise the dead, nor did they make false shows of signs and wonders. But in the Antichrist's time there shall be the evil inducement both of fear and of deceit, so that if it be possible the very elect shall be deceived Mat 24:24. (St. Cyril of Jerusalem) in the book: the consciences and works of each one; and the book of life the fore-knowledge of God, which cannot be deceived, concerning those to whom eternal life will be given, in which they are written, that is, foreknown. (St. Bede)
