“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you” (Genesis 17:4-6). All three times the word “nations” was translated from the same Hebrew word (Strong’s H1471 – “a foreign nation; hence a Gentile”). God was promising Abraham the Gentile nations would be from His seed, Jesus. For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts (Malachi 1:11). In that statement in Malachi the words “Gentiles” and “nations” were from the same Hebrew word (Strong’s H1471). God’s promise was to the Gentiles (nations).

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16). The word “Greek” speaks of the Gentile (see Strong’s G1672). So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath (Acts 13:42). “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; and in His name Gentiles will trust” (Matthew 12:20-22). “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, my Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles … A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth” (Isaiah 42:1 & 3).

The salvation of the Gentile nations was always God plan. The Gentile is not a temporary king in the house of the King, but by design and promise is established forever (eternal). The promise to Abraham was that the Savior of the world would come through his seed (off-spring). The salvation of the nations is not an after-thought – it was always the plan. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The salvation of all nations is not a substitution Gospel – it is the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

© 2010, Tim D. Coulter Sr.

(Strong’s refers to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., 1890.)