Bob, I have to say, few of these posts upset me as your few have done. After getting off the computer, I couldn’t stop thinking about the things you said. I honestly mulled it over for hours wondering “Could it be true that God would allow so many to perish?”
I agree with you that we have free will. I agree that God does allow Satan to work in this world. So far, so good, right?
Now, you may be thinking that I was worried that maybe I have chosen the wrong path. Maybe, your post made me think that the Catholic Church is under the spell of Satan and not the under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Maybe, the peace I feel is really the work of the one who wishes me harm and not the One who wants me to be with Him forever.
No, it bothered me because, I truly believe that God meant what He said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him may not perish, but have eternal life.”
You say that God is grieves for the souls lost and I agree.
But, when Jesus spoke the words regarding the eating of His flesh and the drinking of His blood, He does not rush to stop those who left, or to reassure those who remained. No, He acknowledges that the words are hard to hear, He asks them if they too will leave because of that. No, Peter instead says quite confidently, “To whom would we go? You have the words of everlasting life.”
Remember, this is before Jesus goes on to speak of the spirit and the flesh.
When Peter makes that statement he accepts what Jesus says, because he TRUSTS Jesus and believes that Jesus is the Messiah.
So, why was I bothered?
Because, of the ones who REJECTED Jesus after hearing His words. And, I realized that you are right. God did allow them to hear the truth and reject it. And that makes me sad.