The Cup of the Lord
Psalm 75:8
For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.
There are some 32 cups mentioned in the Word of God. 12 of these are figurative cups, 4 deal with the judgment of God, 4 deal with blessing and fellowship of the saint, and the others deal with the reward or punishment to those who side with the devil.
I believe and preach that God is a God of Love and that he would rather save than judge, but to prove his love and mercy he demands and carries out justice against sin.
Let’s look at three of these cups today:
I. The Cup of Wrath
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
Psalm 11:6 (KJV)
One day while in prayer regarding the cup of the Lord’s wrath, I asked, “What is it that would cause the judgment of God to be poured out, what is it that stirs the heart of God to judge.” As I asked that question the spirit of God prompted me with this thought; “When the innocent come under attack, God always responds.” When babies are killed by the millions in the name of abortion, God will respond! When the aged are a “problem to society” and euthanasia becomes a solution, God will respond.
What is the sign of a wicked generation? Drugs? Gang Violence? Homosexuality, perversion?
The sign of a people moving toward the judgment of Almighty God is when those who have no recourse or ability to defend themselves, God will pour out Cup of wrath.
Can we not hear the blinded mob of Sodom and Gomorrah crying out from the fiery pits of judgment, “America Repent!” “God is a God of Judgment!”
A. The Wrath of God
Psalm 7:11
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
Psalm 2:4
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Isaiah 51:17
Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; .
Jeremiah 25:17 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury …
Rev. 16:19b to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
B. The recipients of God’s wrath.
Romans 1:18 (KJV)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Romans 1:32
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
II. The cup of Salvation
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm116:13 (KJV)
Blessings of.
Salvation brings assurance. § John 6:37-40
Salvation brings joy. § Matthew 18:13; § John 1:45
Salvation brings seasons of refreshing. § Acts 3:19
Salvation causes heavenly beings to stand in stark amazement. § Ephes. 3:10-12
Salvation changes masters, not just behavior. § Romans 6:17-18
Salvation gives one a position of authority. § Luke 15:22-24
Salvation gives one an abundant life. § John 10:10
Salvation gives the privilege of being chosen and appointed by God Himself. § 1 Thes. 5:9; § 2 Thes. 2:13
Salvation makes one whole. Meaning. § Acts 4:9
Salvation opens one’s eyes. § John 9:1-7
Salvation saves and hides a multitude of sins. § James 5:19-20
Salvation saves one to the uttermost. § Hebrews 7:25
III. The cup of Blessing
Psalm 16:5 (KJV)
The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
Psalm 23:5 (KJV)
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
1 Cor. 10:16 (KJV)
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
Matthew 26:27-28 (KJV)
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; [28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mark 14:23 (KJV)
And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
Luke 22:20 (KJV)
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1 Cor. 11:25-28 (KJV)
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. [26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. [27] Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. [28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
