What state were the Gentiles in while God was dealing with Israel?
While God dealt with Israel, Gentiles remained outside the covenant promises, not citizens of the commonwealth of Israel. They were without Christ, without God in the world, far off, and without hope. They were left in that condition until the blood of Christ made those who were far off nigh.
Les explains that while God was dealing with the nation of Israel, He left the Gentiles in the state Paul describes: outside the covenant promises, not citizens of the commonwealth of Israel, without Christ, without God in the world, far off, and without hope. Les notes that this changed with later revelation; now in Christ Jesus, Gentiles who were once far off were made nigh by the blood of Christ, referring to the crucifixion.