in the new testament michael leads god's armies against satan's forces in the book of revelation. during the war in heaven he defeats ("wins against") satan. in the epistle of jude michael is called "the archangel michael". christian sanctuaries to michael appeared in the 4th century. he was first seen as a healing angel. later, christians saw him as a protector ("someone who defends and helps") and the leader of the army of god against the forces of evil. by the 6th century, devotions to archangel michael were common both in the eastern and western churches. over time, teachings on michael began to change among christians.