New Testament Prophetesses

Jezebel

Jezebel is one of two false prophetesses mentioned by name in the Bible. Jezebel was mentioned by name by the angel of the church in Thyatira in Revelations 2:18–29 (NKJ), “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

We don’t know if Jezebel was her name but that was what she was called.

According to the Matthew Henry Commentary, when it says “I will kill her children with death”, it meant the second death which leaves no hope of a future life, no resurrection for those that are killed by the second death but only to shame and everlasting contempt.

Thyatira was where Lydia, a seller of purple, was from.

Revelation 2:18–29 was directed to the angel of the church of Thyatira. It was sent by the Son of God. Jesus mentions their charity, service, faith, patience, and fruitfulness as well as a reproof for letting a wicked seducer or Jezebel in their church. “Jezebel” wickedness was charged with the church because they allowed her to seduce men and did nothing. Her punishment could have been prevented if she repented. Jezebel was a false prophetess who was trying to lure Christians into idolatry. Christ gave Jezebel time to repent but just like the Jezebel in the Old Testament (who died a gruesome death) she was defiant against God and did not repent.

The punishment was only for Jezebel and her followers if they did not repent but those who didn’t follow her wouldn’t be punished.

Jesus is instructing John to write to the church of Thyatira. We can read about their good qualities as well as they’re not so good evil deeds when they allowed Jezebel to lead the members of that church into idolatry and sexual immorality.

In conclusion, we must not allow anyone to make us stray from God’s word because we will meet the same fate as Jezebel if we don’t repent. Our punishment will be Hell. God gives everyone time to repent. If someone tries to bring evil into our church, we must make sure it does not enter God’s house.

Philip's 4 Unmarried Daughters

Philip, the evangelist was one of the seven Greek-speaking men chosen to serve as deacons for administrative and welfare duties as we can read in Acts 6:1–7 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

In Acts 8:12–13, we see Philip performing miracles and doing missionary work.

At the end of Acts, we see Philip was living in Caesarea Maritima with his four daughters, the prophetesses. Acts 21:8–9. “On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.” Philip was serving as an evangelist when Paul was staying with him.

God had no qualms about women prophets. God chose women to be prophetesses in the Bible for a reason.

Since the author of Acts, Luke did not mention what these four prophetesses prophesied, concerning Paul, we should not speculate on how they participated in the ministry. These four daughters will remain a mystery until we get to Heaven.

Philip’s daughters were virgins. From the Oxford dictionary, virgin means chaste, an unmarried or chaste maiden or woman who is or remains in a state of inviolate chastity. These daughters had never been married.