John 5:24-30
24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28 Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out. Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.”
“the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” Perhaps this is the answer to the question – what about all those who die before hearing the Word of God? Jesus says that they too will hear, even though they are dead.
“those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” So those who are dead without hearing the Gospel will be judged on how they lived their lives.