THe Cup of the Lord

The Apostle Paul said that He was being poured out like a drink offering(2 Timothy: 4), because his time of death was close at hand. This scripture has been on my heart recently. What did He mean. In the old covenant there were drink offerings being made before the altar of God daily and it speaks to me that we are the revelation of that cup and that altar. All the utensils that are in the tabernacle of Moses was sanctified by the blood of bulls and goats, but we as the Sons of God are sanctified by the Blood of Jesus. The cup of the Tabernacle is a shadow of the Sons of God pouring out their lives before the altar of God. They are now through the eternal Spirit able to pour the endless stream of life that has been given to them. The will of God is our portion and it IS the Life that is held in these cups. This is what Jesus said " take this cup from me, nevertheless not my Will, but Yours be done". This is also why Paul said this at the end of his life. It shows an awareness of completing the will of God in his life, but also that his Life (which is hidden in Christ) is poured out to do the will of the Father to the last drop. It even says in Hebrews that "ye have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin..." In other words, you have not become so devoted to the Word of Truth that it has Lead you into the Test of Martyrdom. To the last drop did Christ cry out and say " Into your Hands, I commit my spirit" The last drop stephen said, "Lord Forgive these men this sin". Paul said, "I have finished the race, and fought the good fight." Peter said "Let us hold onto the more sure word of prophecy which was spoken on the holy mountain. You will do well to pay attention to it. As a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morningstar arises in your hearts." These were men that held onto the truth in the thickest darkness. That endured the strongest tests and give us encouragement of our tests in Christ. It shows how deep this bunny hole can go and gives us no bounds for the reward we can receive. For scripture is clear that the rewards we already received is beyond us, but it also emphasises those who will overcome as those who get incomprehensible reward. The wording alone should cause us to cast aside all sin and temporary pleasures, to obtain that glorious reality. The Truth of God, who alone is our great reward. All other rewards are only valuable because it comes from Him. Amen