Doug,dwilkins wrote:...but I don't see the atonement or intercession by Christ applying to anyone who doesn't repent towards him, personally.
How can someone repent towards Christ who NEVER heard of Him? Paul says these people will be judged outside of this knowledge. Apparently, these people ARE NOT without hope as their heart and conscience aligns towards God's inherent Law within mankind, and can/will excuse them from God's penalizing judgement. Christ's atoning work seems to cover their sins as well. We do not know much of what is taking place in heaven right now, but one thing is for sure, believers are not sitting on theirs hands doing nothing. So many questios, but we are left without clarifying answers.
God Bless.