The Cup of God's Wrath and Redemption in Scripture
The "cup of God's wrath" is a biblical metaphor representing divine judgment and punishment for sin, frequently contrasted with the concept of redemption. This imagery appears throughout Scripture, particularly in prophetic books and the Revelation of John [1, 7, 8].
The metaphor of a cup often signifies destiny or a portion allotted to an individual or group. In some contexts, a cup can represent God's favor or salvation, as seen in the "cup of salvation" (Psalm 116:13) [2, 12]. However, it is most powerfully used to depict divine wrath. The wine in this cup is described as "unmixed" or "without mixture," indicating the full, undiluted intensity of God's anger [1, 3, 8]. This wrath is righteous, as God's justice is not to be questioned [4].
Prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah employ this imagery to describe the judgments God inflicts upon wicked nations and individuals. Jeremiah 25:15 speaks of a "wine cup of this fury" that the prophet is commanded to take and cause nations to drink, leading to their downfall [10, 13]. Similarly, Isaiah 63:6 describes God treading down people in anger and making them "drunk in my fury," a reference to the intoxicating and overwhelming nature of divine judgment [9]. The Psalmist also refers to a cup in the hand of the Lord, full of red wine, symbolizing God's wrath [11, 12].
The New Testament, particularly the book of Revelation, intensifies this imagery. Revelation 14:10 states that those who worship the beast "shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger" and "shall be tormented with fire and sulfur" [1, 3]. This passage alludes to the poisoned cup criminals were forced to drink, leading to swift death, and also to the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah [7]. The presence of holy angels and the Lamb during this torment emphasizes the solemnity and justice of the judgment [7].
The concept of God's wrath, though severe, is often presented alongside his long-suffering and desire for repentance [5]. While God's anger is manifested in terrors and judgments, it can be averted through Christ, through belief, and through confession of sin and repentance [4]. Christ's intercession is presented as a means through which God's long-suffering is extended, aiming to lead people to repentance [5]. The Lord's Supper, instituted by Jesus, also uses the imagery of a cup, though in this context it is the "cup of blessing" (1 Corinthians 10:16), representing the new covenant in Christ's blood and redemption, rather than wrath [6].
Sources
- Revelation “he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. -- Revelation 14:10”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Cup — A wine-cup (Gen. 40:11, 21), various forms of which are found on Assyrian and Egyptian monuments. All Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold (1 Kings 10: 21). The cups mentioned in the New Testament were made after Roman and Greek models, and were sometimes of gold (Rev. 17:4). The art of divining by means of a cup was practiced in Egypt (Gen. 44:2-17), and in the East generally. The "cup of salvation" (Ps. 116:13) is the cup of thanksgiving for the great salvation. The "cup of consolation" (Jer. 16:7) refers to the custom of friends sending viands and wine to”
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 14:10 (Rotherham) — he also, shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared, unmixed, in the cup of his anger;—and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, before holy messengers and before the Lamb;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger of God, The — Averted by Christ -- Lu 2:11,14; Ro 5:9; 2Co 5:18,19; Eph 2:14,17; Col 1:20; 1Th 1:10. Is averted from them that believe -- Joh 3:14-18; Ro 3:25; 5:1. Is averted upon confession of sin and repentance -- Job 33:27,28; Ps 106:43-45; Jer 3:12,13; 18:7,8; 31:18-20; Joe 2:12-14; Lu 15:18-20. Is slow -- Ps 103:8; Isa 48:9; Jon 4:2; Na 1:3. Is righteous -- Ps 58:10,11; La 1:18; Ro 2:6,8; 3:5,6; Re 16:6,7. The justice of, not to be questioned -- Ro 9:18,20,22. Manifested in terrors -- Ex 14:24; Ps 76:6-8; Jer 10:10; La 2:20-22. Manifested in judgments and”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Supper — The words which thus describe the great central act of the worship of the Christian Church occur but in a single passage of the New Testament-- (1 Corinthians 11:20) + Its institution .--It was instituted on that night when Jesus and his disciples met together to eat the passover, (Matthew 26:19; Mark 14:16; Luke 22:13) (on Thursday evening, April 6, A.D. 30). It was probably instituted at the third cup (the cup of blessing) of the passover [see on [821]Passover], Jesus taking one of the unleavened cakes used at the feast and breaking it and giving it t”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 14:10: The wine of the wrath of God - As they have drunk the intoxicating wine of idolatry or spiritual fornication, they shall now drink the wine of God's wrath, which is poured out into the cup of his indignation. This is an allusion to the poisoned cup, which certain criminals were obliged to drink, on which ensued speedy death. See on Heb 2:9 (note). Shall be tormented with fire and brimstone - An allusion to the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrha for their unnatural crimes. Presence of the holy angels, and - of the Lamb - These being the instruments employed in the”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 14:10: The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God,.... Which is a just punishment for their sin; that as such have drank of the wine of the wrath of Rome's fornication, Rev 14:8 so they shall now drink of the wine of God's wrath; it is usual in Scripture to express the punishment God inflicts upon wicked men by his wrath, and by the wine cup of his fury; and their suffering such punishment, by their drinking of it; see Jer 25:15 so , "the wine of wrath", is a phrase used by the Jews (q): which is poured out without mixture, into the cup of his indignation; s”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 63:6: And I will tread down the people in mine anger,.... See Gill on Isa 63:3, and make them drunk in my fury; or with it (s) the wrath of God is signified by a cup, which he gives wicked men to drink, and which is an inebriating one to them, Psa 75:8, and here it signifies the cup of the wine of the fierceness of God's wrath, which shall be given to mystical Babylon, to antichrist and his followers, Rev 14:10, and I will bring down their strength to the earth; their strong kingdoms, fortified cities, and mighty men, their wealth and riches, of which they boasted, and ”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 25:15: For thus saith the Lord God of Israel unto me,.... The prophet: take the wine cup of this fury at my hand; in a vision the Lord appeared to Jeremiah with a cup of wine in his hand, which he bid him take of him. It is usual in Scripture for the judgments of God on men to be signified by a cup of hot and intoxicating liquor, Isa 51:17; particularly in Psa 75:8; to which reference may be had; as John seems to refer to the passage here in Rev 14:10; called a cup, because they are in measure, and but small in comparison of what will be inflicted in the world to come; ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 75:8: For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup,.... Another reason why men should not act haughtily and arrogantly; for by the cup are meant afflictions, calamities, and judgments, which are measured out in proportion to men's sins, and are of God's appointing, and in his hands, and at his disposal and the wine is red; an emblem of the wrath of God this cup is full of, as it is explained, Rev 14:10, where there is a reference to this passage; for it is a cup of fury, of trembling, and of indignation: Isa 51:17, it is full of mixture; has many ingredients in it, dreadf”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 11:6: Their punishment is described by vivid figures denoting abundant, sudden, furious, and utter destruction (compare Gen 19:24; Job 18:15; Psa 7:15; Psa 9:15). cup--is a frequent figure for God's favor or wrath (Psa 16:5; Psa 23:5; Mat 20:22-23).”
- Jeremiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 25:15: Under the similitude of a cup going round, which all the company must drink of, is here represented the universal desolation that was now coming upon that part of the world which Nebuchadrezzar, who just now began to reign and act, was to be the instrument of, and which should at length recoil upon his own country. The cup in the vision is to be a sword in the accomplishment of it: so it is explained, Jer 25:16. It is the sword that I will send among them, the sword of war, that should be irresistibly strong and implacably cruel. I. As to the circumstances of t”