The four daughters that prophesied
Luke recorded that “…Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven… had four virgin daughters who prophesied” (Acts 21:9-9). Philip the evangelist (Acts 8:5–13, 26–40) was one of the original “servers of tables,” or deacons (Acts 6:5). His labors as preacher went beyond Caesarea, where he was last seen (Acts 8:40). And he may have preached at coasts of Palestine and Phoenicia.
Philips’ four daughters had the gift of prophecy (Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 14:1, 3, 4; Eph. 2:20; 4:11). The word “prophesy” means to “speak forth,” for the Lord (Gen. 20:7; Matt. 11:9). A prophet may, or may not, predict the future.
Prophetesses in the Bible
The Bible presents a number of examples where daughters of God had the gift of prophecy – this most valuable of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 14:1). Miriam, Moses’ sister, was a prophetess (Ex. 15:20), as was Deborah, with whose timely assistance Barak overcame the Canaanites (Judges 4:4). Isaiah’s wife was a prophetess (Isa. 8:3). Also, Huldah was a prophetess who helped Hilkiah the priest in the transformations of Josiah, king of Judah (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chron. 34:22). And we read that Anna the prophetess welcomed baby Jesus to the world (Luke 2:36–38). Also, false prophetesses are mentioned in the Scriptures in Neh. 6:14 and Rev. 2:20.
The gift of prophecy on woman at the end of time
The prophet Joel foretold of the pouring out of the gift of prophecy in the end times upon woman: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days” (Joel 2:28, 29).
The events of Pentecost – the early rain- were only a partial fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. The prediction is to reach its final fulfillment in the revelation of divine grace which will accompany the closing work of the gospel. At that time, the Holy Spirit will be poured on God’s sons and daughters – the latter rain. And these anointed ones will go with the power of the Holy Spirit to evangelize the world. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Thus, God’s special anointed people, filled with the Holy Spirit, will finish His work.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
