We were discussing this at work. From the time of creation until the time of the children of Israel received the ten commandments. What method was used to let them know they were committing sin? How did they know? When they died, where did their soul go? What determined their destination? One answer was "In the Bosom of Abraham."
I think, not sure, there was a period of 400 years from creation to wondering in the wilderness and then receiving the ten commandments. Then the law became in effect. They were judged by the Law then until the crucifixation. The law was for the Jewish people and the temple was built and only the Jews had access to the temple, high priest and essentially forgiveness of sin. This means that only the Jewish people could be forgiven of sin. I guess we don't think about this very much in the New Testament age and how blessed we Gentiles are for Christ coming to redeam all the of us. Praise God for that!
But, where are all of these people who died before the law and were not Jews?