Romans 9:11, 14-16, 18 (ESV), 11 “. . . God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— … 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion,… 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.”
God elects different people during different periods to be His special tools to further His purposes. But what happens to those not selected? Are they forever unsaved? No.
Is it God’s plan or purpose that the world should be converted before Christ’s kingdom on Earth? If your answer is yes, God’s plan is failing miserably. At least 90% of those who have lived have died unsaved.
Yet God’s plan cannot fail. Isaiah 55:11 (ESV), “so shall my word be. . . it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Compare the following scriptures:
John 12:40 (NASB20), “He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, so that they will not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and be converted, so I will not heal them.”
“Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Yes, God does want all to be saved. However, God has given us all free will, and some, like the great adversary Satan, will not want to abandon sin.
Now God is calling the church class to deny their wills and to follow Jesus through the opposition of sin and Satan. God’s time to convert the world is future. All shall be resurrected (John 5:28-29) and certainly learn God’s truth of salvation. Those who have hardened their hearts now will be given the blessing promised in Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV), “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
BUT this salvation is only for the willing. God does not force any. “whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)