Salvation: Illustrated by a Cup
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The concept of salvation is central to Christian theology, representing the deliverance from sin and its consequences through faith in Jesus Christ. One of the vivid illustrations used in Scripture to depict salvation is that of a cup. This imagery is rich with meaning and appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, offering a multifaceted understanding of salvation.

The Cup of Salvation

The psalmist declares, "I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD" (Psalm 116:13). Here, the cup symbolizes the blessings and deliverance provided by God. It is an expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's saving acts. The act of lifting the cup signifies acceptance and celebration of the salvation offered by the Lord, emphasizing the believer's response of faith and worship.

The Cup of Suffering

In the New Testament, the cup also represents the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). This cup signifies the impending suffering and crucifixion that Jesus would endure for the salvation of humanity. It underscores the cost of salvation, highlighting the depth of Christ's obedience and love.

The Cup of the New Covenant

During the Last Supper, Jesus uses the cup to institute the New Covenant. He says, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:20). The cup here represents the new relationship between God and humanity, established through the sacrificial death of Christ. It signifies the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life for those who believe. The sharing of the cup in communion is a continual reminder of this covenant and the salvation it brings.

The Cup of Wrath

Conversely, the cup can also symbolize God's judgment and wrath against sin. Revelation 14:10 speaks of those who reject God, stating, "He too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath" . This imagery serves as a warning of the consequences of unbelief and the ultimate justice of God. It contrasts with the cup of salvation, highlighting the choice set before humanity: to accept the salvation offered through Christ or to face divine judgment.

The Overflowing Cup

Finally, the cup is used to depict abundance and blessing in the life of the believer. Psalm 23:5 states, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows" . This overflowing cup symbolizes the fullness of life and blessings that come from a relationship with God. It reflects the peace, joy, and provision that accompany salvation, even amidst adversity.

In summary, the illustration of a cup in Scripture provides a profound and multifaceted understanding of salvation. It encompasses themes of deliverance, sacrifice, covenant, judgment, and blessing, inviting believers to reflect on the depth and richness of God's saving work through Jesus Christ.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 116:13
I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... Justification by Faith"Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness. ... If there be salvation
for the dying thief, and ... A trembling hand may grasp the cup which bears a ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

Epistle Lxii. C??cilius, on the Sacrament of the Cup of the Lord.
... Wine in the Sacrament of the Lord's Body is Illustrated; And It ... to be in the cup,
when in the cup there is ... He answered and said "This day is salvation come to ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxii caecilius on the.htm

Clement of Alexandria.
... proofs of, 424, 426, 437, 502, 524. power of choosing salvation, 441. ... Lord's day,
illustrated by Greek authors, 469. ... Mixed cup in the Eucharist, 242. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/clement of alexandria.htm

The Shadow of Death
... Here was supremely illustrated the truth that "he came down ... of Zebedee that they
should share a cup in kind ... for the kingdom of God, for the salvation of the ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/viii the shadow of death.htm

Doctrine and Discipline of the Church
... condemnation; and the withdrawal of the cup found powerful ... more than was necessary
for their own salvation. ... connection with relics is fitly illustrated by the ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xi doctrine and discipline.htm

The Hardening Operation of Love.
... This is clearly illustrated by the effects of the rays of ... Then salvation's gates
are open, and he may not be ... he has already drank too deeply from the cup of sin ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxi the hardening operation of.htm

Proof that God did not Appoint the Levitical Dispensation for his ...
... and said, "This is My body." [4030] And the cup likewise, which ... He who thus describes
it gave Him for the salvation of men. ... [Both readings illustrated by their ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvii proof that god did.htm

The Ship on Fire --A Voice of Warning
... out of which I might make an illustrated sermon These ... he only is thy rock and thy
salvation; come to him ... are some here who love the drunkard's cup, others who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the ship on firea voice.htm

Elucidations.
... the priest alone partakes, in which the cup is denied ... from the Church here, and from
salvation hereafter. ... and for ignorance, is everywhere illustrated in Holy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the stromata or miscellanies/elucidations.htm

Departed Saints Fellow Servants with those yet on Earth.
... and minister to the heirs of salvation, hath been ... our theory, and that the same is
illustrated and confirmed ... sorrow, and just taste the bitter cup of affliction ...
/.../sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxvii departed saints fellow.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about household salvation? | GotQuestions.org

What is salvation? What is the Christian doctrine of salvation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Romans Road to salvation? | GotQuestions.org

Salvation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Salvation

Salvation for the Dead

Salvation is by Christ

Salvation is by Christ Alone

Salvation is Deliverance From: Enemies

Salvation is Deliverance From: Eternal Death

Salvation is Deliverance From: Sin

Salvation is Deliverance From: The Devil

Salvation is Deliverance From: This Present Evil World

Salvation is Deliverance From: Uncleanness

Salvation is Deliverance From: Wrath

Salvation is Far off from the Wicked

Salvation is not by Works

Salvation is of God

Salvation is of Grace

Salvation is of Love

Salvation is of Mercy

Salvation is of the Appointment of God

Salvation is of the Patience of God

Salvation is of the Purpose of God

Salvation is Through Faith in Christ

Salvation of Israel, Predicted

Salvation of the Gentiles, Predicted

Salvation: All the Earth Shall See

Salvation: Announced After the Fall

Salvation: Came to the Gentiles Through the Fall of the Jews

Salvation: Christ: Appointed For

Salvation: Christ: Brings, With Him

Salvation: Christ: Came to Effect

Salvation: Christ: Died to Effect

Salvation: Christ: Exalted to Give

Salvation: Christ: Has

Salvation: Christ: Mighty to Effect

Salvation: Christ: Raised up For

Salvation: Christ: The Author of

Salvation: Christ: The Captain of

Salvation: Common

Salvation: Conditions of

Salvation: Confession of Christ Necessary To

Salvation: Eternal

Salvation: Final Perseverance Necessary To

Salvation: from Generation to Generation

Salvation: from Sin, to be Worked out With Fear and Trembling

Salvation: Glorious

Salvation: God is Willing to Give

Salvation: Godly Sorrow Works Repentance To

Salvation: Great

Salvation: Illustrated by a Cup

Salvation: Illustrated by a Helmet

Salvation: Illustrated by a Horn

Salvation: Illustrated by a Lamp

Salvation: Illustrated by a Rock

Salvation: Illustrated by a Shield

Salvation: Illustrated by a Tower

Salvation: Illustrated by a Victory

Salvation: Illustrated by Chariots

Salvation: Illustrated by Clothing

Salvation: Illustrated by Typified by the Bronze Serpent

Salvation: Illustrated by Walls and Bulwarks

Salvation: Illustrated by Wells

Salvation: Ministers are a Sweet Savour of Christ to God, in Those Who Obtain

Salvation: Ministers: Give the Knowledge of

Salvation: Ministers: should be Clothed In

Salvation: Ministers: should Endure Suffering That the Elect May Obtain

Salvation: Ministers: should Exhort To

Salvation: Ministers: should Labour to Lead Others To

Salvation: Ministers: should Use Self-Denial to Lead Others To

Salvation: Ministers: Show the Way of

Salvation: No Escape for Those Who Neglect

Salvation: Now is the Day of

Salvation: Plan of

Salvation: Preaching the Word is the Appointed Means of

Salvation: Reconciliation to God, a Pledge of

Salvation: Regeneration Necessary To

Salvation: Revealed in the Gospel

Salvation: Saints are Heirs of

Salvation: Saints: Appointed to Obtain

Salvation: Saints: Ascribe, to God

Salvation: Saints: Beautified With

Salvation: Saints: Chosen To

Salvation: Saints: Clothed With

Salvation: Saints: Commemorate, With Thanks

Salvation: Saints: Daily Approach Nearer To

Salvation: Saints: Declare

Salvation: Saints: Earnestly Look For

Salvation: Saints: Evidence, by Works

Salvation: Saints: Glory In

Salvation: Saints: Have a Token of, in Their Patient Suffering for Christ

Salvation: Saints: Have, Through Grace

Salvation: Saints: Hope For

Salvation: Saints: Kept by the Power of God To

Salvation: Saints: Long For

Salvation: Saints: Love

Salvation: Saints: Praise God For

Salvation: Saints: Pray for a Joyful Sense of

Salvation: Saints: Pray for the Assurance of

Salvation: Saints: Pray to be Visited With

Salvation: Saints: Receive, As the End of Their Faith

Salvation: Saints: Rejoice In

Salvation: Saints: Satisfied By

Salvation: Saints: Wait For

Salvation: Saints: Welcome the Tidings of

Salvation: Searched Into and Exhibited by the Prophets

Salvation: Sought in Vain From: Earthly Power

Salvation: Sought in Vain From: Idols

Salvation: The Gospel is the Power of God To

Salvation: The Heavenly Host Ascribe, to God

Salvation: The Scriptures are Able to Make Wise To

Salvation: To the Uttermost

Salvation: Typified

Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Related Terms

Salvation (386 Occurrences)

Salvation-having (1 Occurrence)

Author (5 Occurrences)

Savior (60 Occurrences)

Stronghold (68 Occurrences)

Rejoices (30 Occurrences)

Victory (71 Occurrences)

Deliverance (86 Occurrences)

Yah (40 Occurrences)

Defense (49 Occurrences)

Predestination

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)

Rejoiceth (39 Occurrences)

Calling (145 Occurrences)

Choose (116 Occurrences)

Succor (8 Occurrences)

Retribution (14 Occurrences)

Maschil (26 Occurrences)

Endure (90 Occurrences)

Earnestly (78 Occurrences)

Music-maker (55 Occurrences)

Election (6 Occurrences)

Saving (37 Occurrences)

Shield (65 Occurrences)

Confess (65 Occurrences)

Exalted (126 Occurrences)

Common (118 Occurrences)

Acceptable (48 Occurrences)

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Death (1610 Occurrences)

Saviour (157 Occurrences)

Surprised (46 Occurrences)

Sure (142 Occurrences)

Exult (50 Occurrences)

Horn (108 Occurrences)

Destruction (734 Occurrences)

Minds (137 Occurrences)

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Adversity (54 Occurrences)

Musician (112 Occurrences)

Revelation (52 Occurrences)

Yahweh (6653 Occurrences)

Sing (147 Occurrences)

Psalm (213 Occurrences)

Vindication (14 Occurrences)

Restores (10 Occurrences)

Relied (10 Occurrences)

Rate (23 Occurrences)

Expectantly (6 Occurrences)

Encouragement (25 Occurrences)

Effectual (8 Occurrences)

Exults (8 Occurrences)

Elishua (3 Occurrences)

Discovering (1 Occurrence)

Dearly-loved (20 Occurrences)

Millennium

Magnified (34 Occurrences)

Ends (108 Occurrences)

Preserver (7 Occurrences)

Premillennial

Produces (27 Occurrences)

Perdition (14 Occurrences)

Pause (4 Occurrences)

Publish (22 Occurrences)

Beautify (10 Occurrences)

Believeth (42 Occurrences)

Bringeth (313 Occurrences)

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)

Breast-plate (22 Occurrences)

Bowest (4 Occurrences)

Bulwark (29 Occurrences)

Requests (29 Occurrences)

Condescending (3 Occurrences)

Consuming (26 Occurrences)

Condescension (2 Occurrences)

Confided (17 Occurrences)

Consolation (23 Occurrences)

Salvation: Great
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