“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Shabbat shalom dearly beloved:
The other day as we were doing our normal 4 AM prayers (before dawn or ashacharecha ), it dawned on me that YHVH was urgently needing some particular type of ministers. He has many people that want to do things for Him, many other that want to feel the goose pumps and have revelations but He is lacking THE HUPERETES. These particular hard to find and extremely needed type of ministers or servants of Yah are described in the following verse,
“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants (ministers) of the Messiah and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1
The word for servants or ministers here is the Greek word; HUPERETAS. For us to really know what this verse means and what type of Ministers of God are these we must understand a little Greek.
In history these huperetes were UNDERROWERS and the lowest class of criminals. In his excellent book “Sparkling Gems” from the Greek, Apostle to Russia, Rick Renner describes this word HUPERETES that is used in the Scripture to describe SERVANTS or MINISTERS,
“The huperetes of ancient times were the criminals assigned to live the rest of their lives in the bottom galley of huge ships. In those galleys, they became the engines that moved the ships through the seas. They were seared and chained to bench along with other criminals and together they shared common chains.” (page 589)
People that are fully committed to work in Apostolic Ministries are called Huperetes. John below is described as the helper (huperetes) of Saul and Barnabas. In other words, John was fully committed as an underrower in chains, under constraint to serve them (the Apostles!) so they could be effective in their work for Yah.
“When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper (huperetes!).“ Acts 13:5
Please notice that John is an unknown person, we do not know what he really did to “help” them. Maybe carried their bags, cooked their meals, interceded, was a body guard, etc.. The Scriptures leave John “in the dark” while placing Saul and Barnabas in the focus of attention. Like in a stage, all lights were on the Apostles not on the huperetes of the Apostles! This was a supportive job with not much fame but extremely needed and eventually would be fully rewarded. God’s style is always to reward those that have been faithful to do things in secret and to be faithful in the little! Of course the Apostles were constantly giving the Glory to Y’shua so that all focus would be on HIM!
The most revealing huperetes calling was that of Paul’s. When Y’shua called him to be the Great Apostle, He actually called Paul His huperetes!
'But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister (huperetes) and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;” Acts 26:16
Later on Saul (Paul) will call himself an ambassador in chains and a prisoner of the Lord!
“And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:19-20
The Apostolic Calling is the Call of the Huperetes and all those who come alongside them in their Apostolic Team are to be HUPERETES with him/her. People like Timothy, Titus, Priscilla, Aquila, Junia and more were true Huperetes with Paul. Paul directed them, commanded them, and ordered them. They were not on their own and they were not there temporarily. They were together with the Apostle for the duration of his life and ministry and would carry on after he died, in the same spirit.
The most prominent place in the Holy Scriptures that someone in his team parts ways from him was the parting of Barnabas; He was supposed to be Paul’s Huperetes but he wanted “his own ministry” and his own ministry style. He wanted to direct the ship rather than to be an underrower under Paul. So, Paul would take no nonsense and he parted ways. We never heard of Barnabas again, he became a nobody as far as the Scriptures are concerned; his ministry was of no importance or influence. The Scriptures do not mention Barnabas again after his parting from Paul.
Barnabas wanted to take John along, the John nicknamed Mark. But Paul wouldn't have him; he wasn't about to take along a quitter who, as soon as the going got tough, had jumped ship on them in Pamphylia. Tempers flared, and they ended up going their separate ways: Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus; Paul chose Silas and, offered up by their friends to the grace of the Master, went to Syria and Cilicia to build up muscle and sinew in those congregations. Acts 15:39-41 The Message
Notice that the division was about a “huperetes issue”. Paul discerned that John Mark was no huperetes and he refused to take him along! Since Barnabas was no real huperetes either, he and Gohn Mark made a “perfect team” of quitters! That’s it! Barnabas was never to be heard of again! Mediocrity falls into oblivion!
That is the fate of all those that are called to be Huperetes to Apostles of ministries. Only ONE is called as the head, the other ones are called to be enchained to him as underrowers under him. Nowadays this would be considered “bondage” or an abuse of authority. But notice that true Apostles like Paul are ENCHAINED to the Messiah and to their calling. For them to be able to fulfill this mammoth job they need other Huperetes to be enchained to them in the same way that they are enchained to the Messiah!
That’s the reason that Paul said,
“Follow me as I follow the Lord”
That’s the reason why he ordered Timothy around. He did not “ask permission”, begged or suggested to Timothy. He COMMANDED him, he was lord over Timothy’s comings and goings.
“Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.” Acts 17:15
He also orders Philemon about Onesimus who used to be Philemon’s slave. Paul is appealing to his disciple Philemon who is another huperetes with Paul and though it seems that he is asking, he is actually COMMANDING him to OBEY his “request”.
“Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.” Philemon 21
If Philemon would have not done what Paul said, Paul would have regarded this as disobedience to his authority and a breaking of that covenant relationship of huperetes.
The true Apostles will function together with huperetes assigned to them. Those can be Apostles, Pastors, Deacons, Evangelists, Teachers, Business People or other leaders. What is common to them all is the absolute huperetes like attitude with absolute no excuses. These are not there only to learn from the main Apostle, get the impartation of anointing and start their own ministry. No! they are there to help, support and carry the ministry of the Main Apostle to TERM which of course would include planting of works and congregations under his oversight! In other words they were to help fulfill Paul’s vision. Today most people want to get something from great ministers in order to start their own ministries. I believe that many ministries have been started in the flesh by people that were supposed to be HUPERETES (for life!) of someone else. There are many more that have loved their life too much and are not willing to be enchained to someone else’s vision or mission. So, they find some fault with their Apostle or leader and abandon them, claiming “Holy Spirit Guidance”.
Many people claim to be like “Joshua” or to have the “double portion” of Elijah, forgetting that Joshua was Moses huperetes for life and that Elisha served Elijah until he was taken up to Heaven! In fact the condition for the “double portion” anointing was that Elisha would cater to Elijah faithfully until the very last second without taking his eyes of him!
“When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." He said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so." 2 Kings 2:9-10
If you have been prophesied an Elisha or a Joshua anointing and ministry you need to find YOUR Moses and YOUR Elijah and serve them (huperetes) for life! If you have been called to become as a RUTH to Israel find YOUR “Naomi Ministry” headed by Jews that you will serve FOR LIFE! After all no one can serve ALL of Israel, you must find that ONE Naomi to serve!
“But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. "Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me." Ruth 1:16-17
A HUPERETES PRAYER
(Should be prayed by all including people in the Ministry)
Beloved Father in Heaven, here I am to be your huperetes.
If I am called to be the huperetes of someone else, I lay down my life and ministry to serve that person and his/her ministry for life. Thank you for guiding my steps to that man/woman that I am to be an “underrower” with. Please forgive my selfishness and fear which I renounce now in Y’shua’s name! I choose to lose my life in order to find the true “high life” in YOU! I place ALL my gifting, talents and finances at your disposal for this purpose. In Y’shua’s name. Amen
If you prayed this from your heart, expect the Father to answer you. My only request is that you obey Him to the end, so that the many “stuck” Apostolic Boats can move now with SPEED and EFFICIENCY! Remember that only those who do the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom!
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.'” Matthew 7:21-23
To be continued next week…
Your Huperetes Friends in Israel
Bishop Dominiquae and Rabbi Baruch Bierman
Jerusalem News
Governor of Arkansas, maybe future Vice President of the USA and Pastor Michael Huckabee visited Jerusalem and some of the new Jewish projects in the Holy City. He is a real lover of Israel and a hopeful sign for America. He is an honest and courageous Man of God for our times. Please pray for him!
Here are his remarks from Arutz 7
Huckabee: 'There is Only One Place for a Jewish Homeland'
by Yishai Fleisher and Elana Eden
Former Arkansas Governor and vice-presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee flew in to Israel Monday on a whirlwind two-day fact-finding and solidarity tour. On his first day in the Holy Land, Huckabee visited Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem, while on Tuesday he is scheduled to tour Sderot.
Daniel Luria, executive director of the Jerusalem Reclamation Project (Ateret Kohanim) took Governor Huckabee around Jerusalem, including a traditional stop at the Western Wall. However, Huckabee was also afforded the opportunity to view parts of Jerusalem which no major American politician has had the privilege of seeing. These included new Jewish enclaves at Abu Tor, the Yemenite Village in the Shiloach (Silwan Valley), Kidmat Zion, the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, and the grand new housing project at the Mount of Olives.
While touring Governor Huckabee also had time to make statements and respond to questions from journalists.
Gov. Huckabee said he understood the need for a Palestinian state, but that it should not interfere with the Jewish one.
"There are many, many places where a homeland for the Palestinians could in fact take place that would be consistent with their roots," he said. "But there is only one place on earth where the Jewish people could have a homeland that is consistent with their roots."
He emphasized that the international community agreed to recognize clear, definitive boundaries of a Jewish homeland in Israel as early as 1919.
"We have a moral obligation to the Jewish people to honor the commitment that has been made through decades and decades of understanding that there is going to be a homeland for the Jewish people," he said.
"The question shouldn't be 'Do Arabs have a right to live in Jewish territory,'" said Gov. Huckabee, "but, 'Do Jews have a right to live in Jewish territory?'"
"To say that Jews can't live in Jerusalem is the equivalent of telling the Boston Red Sox they can't play in Fenway Park. Obviously, that would never go over very well on Beacon Hill."
The visit is the brainchild of New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind and Jewish Activist Dr. Joseph Frager with backing by Jerusalem Reclamation Project.
"In terms of the deepest roots and attachment to the land of Israel, Mike Huckabee really wins out," Dr. Frager said. "He is more than happy to learn firsthand what actually is going on, which is all I ask any political figure to do in America."
Hikind praised Gov. Huckabee's honesty and realism.
"I wish that Jewish leaders would speak so clearly, so unequivocally," he said. "Here's a guy who says, 'Yes, I'm for a Palestinian state,' and then says, 'but in Saudi Arabia.
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“ I will also plant them on their land, and they will not again be rooted out from their land which I have given them says the Lord your God” Amos 9:15
AMEN!