Isaiah 49:6, Genesis 12:3, Revelation 7:9
Not a Plan B
The inclusion of Gentiles — all nations, not just Israel — in the salvation of God is sometimes described as if it were a surprising change of plan when Israel rejected the Messiah. This misreads both Testaments. The salvation of the nations was not a Plan B — it was the plan from the beginning, foretold throughout the Old Testament.
The Abrahamic covenant itself set the terms: "In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:3). The Gentile mission is the fulfilment of the oldest promise in the Bible.
The Old Testament Witness
Isaiah's vision of the nations. Isaiah repeatedly anticipates the gathering of all peoples to the God of Israel: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6). Paul and Barnabas quote this directly to justify turning to the Gentiles (Acts 13:47).
Psalm 22:27-28. After the suffering described in the Psalm — which we have seen is Messianic — "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you." The cross produces worldwide worship.
Psalm 87. A vision of all nations registered as born in Zion — Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, Cush — all counted as citizens of God's city.
Zechariah 8:22-23. "Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem... 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.' " Gentiles joining themselves to the people of God.
The Commission and Its Fulfilment
Jesus' Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) — "make disciples of all nations" — is the formal commissioning of the Gentile mission. Pentecost launches it. Paul's missionary journeys advance it. The book of Revelation anticipates its completion: "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne." (Revelation 7:9).