Topical Bible: The Heathen: Salvation of, Foretold

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The concept of the salvation of the heathen, or Gentiles, is a theme that runs throughout the Scriptures, indicating God's plan for the redemption of all nations. This theme is woven into the fabric of the Old and New Testaments, revealing God's intention to extend His grace beyond the boundaries of Israel to encompass all peoples.

Old Testament Prophecies

The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies that foretell the salvation of the heathen. One of the earliest indications is found in the Abrahamic covenant. In Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This promise suggests a future blessing for all nations through Abraham's lineage.

The Psalms also echo this theme. Psalm 22:27 declares, "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD; all the families of the nations will bow down before Him." This verse envisions a time when all nations will acknowledge and worship the Lord.

Isaiah, the prophet, provides some of the most explicit prophecies regarding the salvation of the Gentiles. In Isaiah 49:6, God says, "It is not enough for you to be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." This passage highlights the Servant's role in bringing salvation to all nations, not just Israel.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these prophecies through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself alludes to the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's plan of salvation. In John 10:16, He states, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd."

The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19, further underscores this mission: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This command to the disciples emphasizes the global scope of the Gospel message.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently addresses the inclusion of the Gentiles. In Romans 15:9-12, Paul cites several Old Testament passages to demonstrate that the Gentiles are part of God's redemptive plan: "so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: 'Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.' Again, it says, 'Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.' And again, 'Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.' And once more, Isaiah says: 'The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.'"

Theological Implications

The salvation of the heathen, as foretold in Scripture, underscores the universality of the Gospel. It reveals God's heart for all humanity and His desire for all people to come to the knowledge of the truth. This theme challenges believers to embrace the mission of reaching all nations with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, fulfilling the prophetic vision of a diverse yet unified body of believers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.
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Galatians 3:8
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel to Abraham, saying, In you shall all nations be blessed.
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Isaiah 2:2-4
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.
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Isaiah 52:10
The LORD has made bore his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
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Isaiah 60:1-8
Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen on you.
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Library

Salvation by Faith
... it the faith of a devil, though this goes much farther than that of a heathen. ... This
is that great salvation foretold by the angel, before God brought his First ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 1 salvation by faith.htm

Heathen Oracles.
... Chapter XXI."Heathen Oracles ... what they know they do not employ for the salvation
of souls ... or by diverse visions, is always true; but what is foretold by demons ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxi heathen oracles.htm

Salvation to the Jews
... These had foretold the advent of a Redeemer who was ... God forbid: but rather through
their fall salvation is come ... were sold to serve as bondmen in heathen lands. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm

The Success of the Apostles, and their Sufferings in the Cause of ...
... parts of the earth have seen the salvation, which was ... indeed (they did) after that
"the heathen raged, and ... the fact that Christ suffered, He foretold that His ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxii the success of the.htm

Treatise vi. On the Vanity of Idols: Showing that the Idols are ...
... would do this He Himself also had foretold; and the ... the Source of light, the Author
of salvation, promising as ... from the very expressions of the heathen and of ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise vi on the vanity.htm

The First Epistle General of Peter
... Peter to speak about the heathen thinking it "strange" that converted Jews ... of salvation,
a joy which springs from faith; this salvation was foretold by the ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxi the first epistle.htm

The Prophecy of Obadiah.
... that it was so clearly and distinctly foretold to them ... sin; he has to point out only
the salvation subsequent to the overflowing by the heathen world, the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophecy of obadiah.htm

Conclusion.
... might be fulfilled, "I will give Thee the heathen for Thine ... of His work of love for
the salvation of man was present from the first; and was foretold by Him in ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter xi conclusion.htm

Messiah's Entrance into Jerusalem
... thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and ... And He shall speak peace unto
the heathen. ... How different was MESSIAH'S entry into Jerusalem foretold in this ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xi messiahs entrance into.htm

"The Fullness of the Time"
... Jewish nation there were men who foretold the appearance of ... lay at the foundation
of every heathen religion; it ... The message of salvation is communicated to men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 3 the fullness of.htm