I understand that Jewish Old Testament believers who died went to Paradise or Abraham’s Bosom to await the promised Redeemer. What about OT Gentiles? Did they have to convert to Judaism for this or did the Lord make a way for those outside of Israel to “die in faith”?
The answer can be found in Isaiah 56:6-7;
“And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant– these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
Non-Jews who voluntarily put themselves under the covenant became acceptable to the Lord. The Temple precincts included the Court of the Gentiles which was the place where they could come and worship. If they believed the sacrifices they offered were a foreshadowing of the Lord’s death and died in faith of His coming they were saved.
After the cross, the way was opened for Gentiles to come straight to the Lord without first binding themselves to the Old Covenant.