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The following passages from Genesis led me to think that all who perished at the time of Noah were cast into Sheol to await the great white throne judgment.

Gen 6:5-7,17 KJV

5And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

17And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

What do theologians say about it?

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    It's worth noting that not all Christians believe the Flood was a literal global event. Personally, I* do, but many believe it's allegorical, or perhaps a local flood. I presume you'd like to limit answers to those that hold to the literal interpretation because this question will only make sense in the context of those Christians holding to a literal interpretation. – David Stratton Oct 20 '13 at 18:55
  • I think this is an interesting and well posed question, +1. – Elberich Schneider Oct 20 '13 at 19:03
  • Also, questions regarding eternal damnation should be always taken seriously from the community. – Elberich Schneider Oct 20 '13 at 19:05
  • @ David Stratton I will concede that there are many who do not believe that the Flood was global, but I must direct your attention to Genesis 1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. How hard would it be for God who caused the dry ground to emerge from the Seas to reverse that? and if I may also point out that God said he was going to kill all into which he had breathed the breath of life. To me it means that it has to have been Global. But I was wrong one other time in the last 75 years. – BYE Oct 20 '13 at 20:19
  • @CecilBeckum - I take it you missed the part where I said that personally, I believe it? No problem... I'm in agreement with you, I just left the comment to help clarify what perspectives you're interested in so that the answers you get are more geared toward what you're looking for. And one other time in the last 75 years - LOL - You sound like me! – David Stratton Oct 20 '13 at 20:29
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Interesting that it is that passage that leads you to the conclusion that " all who perished at the time of Noah were cast into Sheol to await the great white throne judgment". I say that because there is another passage which explicitly agrees with your conclusion!

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) – if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

2 Peter 2:4-9

We don't know for sure if they were eternally damned - only that they are being held for judgement. However, it is logical to think that they were / will be damned because they are being "held for punishment" and because they did not go to heaven when they died.

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