Which Cup?

 We pray that all is well with you, as "times they are a-changin’" (in the words of that old bard – 'Bobby the Dylan' aka Zimmerman) and very rapidly, I might add. We thank you for your prayers and concerns for the whole house of Israel. 

Since the U.S. election, countless Americans, many of them Christians, have come to believe that Elohim has had mercy on that nation. Others are undecided as to whether this is a good thing or not. Then, some are of the opinion that the election results represent the lesser of two evils. Nevertheless, YHVH remains in charge and is sovereign over every nation. 

A few weeks ago, I had an impression from the Spirit which had an unusual origin. I had been talking with a friend about an episode that took place in the United Nations when Yasser Arafat stood (in 1974) before the Assembly and made the following declaration: “I have come to you bearing an olive branch in one hand, and a freedom-fighter’s gun in the other, don’t let the olive branch fall from my hand!”  A few days after this conversation, in the early hours of the morning, I felt that Yeshua was standing, as it were, before America with a golden cup in one hand and a silver cup in the other. They were both full of wine.  The golden cup’s wine was toxic, while the silver cup's (wine) was blood-red (pure). Later that morning I looked into the scriptures and found these two:  "For thus YHVH, the Elohim of Israel, says to me [Jeremiah], 'Take this cup of the wine of wrath from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it. And they shall drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them'" (Jeremiah 25:15-16). The other was: “I shall lift up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of YHVH" (Psalm 116:13).  

In his inaugural speech, the newly re-elected American president mentioned that his coming term would be "the golden age of America". For a long time now, the United States has taken up the image of Babylon, displaying characteristics that are not unlike the original one. Even though the USA has also been responsible for many 'good things', these words from Revelation are sadly quite applicable: "For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality" (18:3). Right at the close of Trump’s address, I felt like adding “But God…?” And for whatever it's worth, two names came to mind - Nimrod and Nebuchadnezzar. Disclaimer: I’m not asserting that Trump is imaging the above mentioned, but that we need to take to heart that they would not have had the authority to accomplish what they did without YHVH’s sovereign will to do so (see Daniel 2:39ff). The same, of course, applies to the present circumstances.

Yes, YHVH’s "mercies are new every morning", and "great is His faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23). This may be a new morning, OR, it could be a new warning - for the people of the U.S. and Israel, or even the world.  I believe that YHVH is offering these two cups, not only to the United States but also to many other nations.  However, judgments start with His own house. "Don't let the cup of salvation fall from My hand" (to echo Arafat's foreboding statement. Please forgive the analogy.)

The false 'Christian' bishop, who addressed President Trump at the Cathedral in Washington, announced that "her people" feared what Trump might do to the (woke) folk that she represents. Actually, they should be more fearful of a righteous Creator Whose laws govern iniquity and wickedness.  In the past four years, the United States has added to that cup of the wrath of Elohim. If and when it is poured out, His called-out ones must be prepared for the great exodus.  As it was in the first exodus, when the sin of the Amorites had to come to full measure before the Hebrews were released from Egypt (see Genesis 15:16), so too now – the cup of iniquity must overflow before this great event unfolds.  Might we be witnessing the beginning of the judgments mentioned in Revelation being executed? Conversely, will we see a powerful outpouring of the cup of salvation in YHVH's hand? Or will these two cups be served at the same time?