Mike,

That was an article worth reading.

Yes, it is not safe to teach that Revelation 4:1 simply is the blessed hope of the church.

However, there are similarities, which can be beneficial, is long as it is understood that similarities are just that, similarities.

There are things in the old testament, which were not written to the church, or about the church, but they are still beneficial:

I Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

  17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Those things written about Israel, or to Israel, were not written to the church, or about the church.

Sometimes people try to apply them as if they were.

Like saying that Christians need to keep Israel's feast days, as well as the sabbath, and to not eat the things prohibited in Leviticus.

That has led to a road of bondage, that Christians need not go down.

However, instead of physically applying those old testament scriptures to the church,

if there are spiritual applications that can be shown, then we are benefitted.

Like the struggles between Saul and David, used to show, by type and picture, our struggle between the flesh and the spirit, can be beneficial.

Or like all the types and pictures of the tabernacle, prefiguring the work of Christ, is also greatly beneficial.

So, using Revelation 4:1 in a similar way, as a picture of the wonder and suddenness of the blessed hope, can also be beneficial.

After being told all the things in chapters 2 and 3, John, who had been experiencing trouble in this world (Patmos),

suddenly is called up (in the Spirit in his case), and immediately brought into heaven, beholding the LORD on his throne,

and experiencing all the exciting worship and praise that is going on there.

If by type and picture, like things written to Israel in the old testament, this Revelation 4:1 experience of John, can be beneficial and exciting for us.