©November 9, 2012 Revive Israel Ministries

Apostolic Integrity and Authenticity in Israel

By Asher Intrater

In our generation we are witnessing the restoration of apostolic and prophetic ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13) in the body of Messiah worldwide. Little by little, apostolic and prophetic ministry is also being restored within the local remnant in Israel. Much of what is called apostolic or prophetic is inflated or phony. And much of what would be valid internationally is imported and not indigenous to Israel.

Paul (Saul) spoke of powerful supernatural warfare in II Corinthians 10:3-5. The overall theme of chapters 10 - 12 is the battle to discern between true and false apostles (II Corinthians 11:13). Paul's primary spiritual warfare in these three chapters concerns the validity and integrity of apostolic ministry. What an eye-opening thought!

A deep passion of my heart is the integrity of authentic, indigenous, apostolic authority in Israel. To have authority, it must be authentic. To have integrity, it must be indigenous.

[Note: Ministry has to be indigenous only to the degree that it calls itself "Israeli" or "Jewish." Otherwise it is not necessary. Indigenous elements include marketplace, birthplace, physical lineage, Hebrew language, taxes, giving, citizenship, army, and practical service. Yeshua grew up here 30 years before starting His ministry.]

The restoration of apostolic-prophetic teams in Israel represents a partial restoration of the ministry of the original apostles of the first century. That restoration is a key element of right alignment and spiritual government for the greater body of Messiah.

If apostolic-prophetic ministry in Israel will have a humble and servant heart, it could be a source of blessing, revival, and unity. If it has integrity and authenticity, it could be an instrument of kingdom strategy as we prepare for the coming of Yeshua.  

By Phil Wagler

We are in a season of transition and tension, being prepared for the coming of Jesus. When He comes we will be like Him (I John 3:2). Therefore, this is also a time of becoming more like Him. We will be then what we are becoming now.

He is bringing us into His likeness. He has ways of removing from us everything that is not like Him. His purposes are like a highway in our heart in which there are no obstacles or obstructions. We are to be fully available to Him.

Change happens by pressure. We stay the way we are until the pain of remaining the same becomes too great. God brings trials to pressure us into becoming complete (James 1:2-4). It is not enough to know an answer to a problem-- we have to "walk it out." Walking through difficulties is the path to perfection.

Circumstances have no power over us. Every problem is an opportunity to be joyful.  Faith is a decision to walk through circumstances which are beyond our abilities. We spend most of our time trying to get out of situations which God prepared for us. We take the things we like and avoid what we don't like. We tend to avoid adversity. Yet who we are is how we respond to adversity.

The issue is not what happens to us, but how we respond to it. The first priority is to fix our eyes on Yeshua (Hebrews 12). All sin is self-centered. We should look at life, not by asking, "How does this affect me?" but by asking "What is God trying to do?" Faith has a victory mentality, not a victim mentality.

God works through trials. We choose to be obedient (Philippians 2:7). Our faith is increased by walking through difficulties.  The threat is in reverting to the old way of trying to do it in our own strength.  Ask God to give you the grace to be empty and humble. Say, "I know you are God; I know you are good; I know you are in control."

God usually does not remove painful situations but gives us grace to go through them. That grace is our victory. Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, and his friends into the fiery furnace. We must trust God's government over the circumstances in our life. The Church will be purified during the tribulation period.  Tribulation is part of God's path to perfection. We will be like Him by the time He comes back.    

By Ayellet Ronen, Secretary of Board

Please consider our guest-house at Yad Hashmona on your next visit to Israel. Most believers around the world who come to visit the land don't know that right by Jerusalem, 20 minutes toward Tel Aviv, there is a community of believers living in the only Messianic kibbutz in all Israel!

This village of 120 Israeli believers would be blessed by having people like you to come visit, stay at our guesthouse, eat in our dining room, and join our guided tours of the Biblical Village. Together, we can share the unique testimony of God's amazing work in the land of Israel.

Yad Hashmona is truly a miracle. Under much pressure and opposition, we are standing and giving a daily testimony of our faith in Yeshua. But without enough Christian guests our livelihood is in danger, especially after a serious attack against us by the gay and lesbian movement in Israel, because we would not allow a lesbian couple to celebrate their wedding at our guest house.

Come and stand with us, as family in Christ, and show your support for the local Messianic body in Israel. We welcome you in the name of Yeshua! Baruch Haba!

For more info, click www.yad8.com

(Please pray for Ayellet and the testimony of Yad Hashmona. Ayellet appeared briefly this week on the "good morning" type show of the largest television station in Israel, along with the lawyer of the lesbian lobby that sued them. Pray for grace in future judicial actions (Isaiah 54:17), as we partner with them in these legal battles.)