Thank you sir.
To DG,
I did not explain how I view death....so bear with me please.
I was a atheist for 5 decades. For an atheist, death is the end. It is final and there is nothing beyond.
For a believer, death is the end of life, but there is hope of eternal life with God. There is something afterwards.
I am not sure every believer knows with 100% certainty they will pass judgement. Jesus knew He would be with God after He died....He was assured of eternal life.
The examples offered by DD25 are important to consider. Imagine being an atheist and sacrificing your life to save others...with no hope or chance of eternal life....what an ultimate sacrifice that is. In my mind, it is different than the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Jesus knew the end of his human life was the beginning of eternal life for all humanity.
BTW, I wonder how God views an atheist who pays the ultimate price to save others. Does He feel any remorse that someone that selfless and courageous has no place in His kingdom?