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I understand your premise that God could know beforehand who would accept Him and who wouldn't; but didn't He have hope in His heart that others would also choose Him; if the opportunity was presented?; not just his "chosen"?

Well, then, how about "all are called but few are chosen". What do we do with the word "all" - to me it means ALL. It doesn't mean ALL WILL - to me it means ALL have the equal opportunity presented to them. And ... this is where I rely on God saying it's His desire that none should perish. And ... therefore He would have to die for ALL.

"all are called but few are chosen"

I think that is many are called....:>)

I understand your premise that God could know beforehand who would accept Him and who wouldn't; but didn't He have hope in His heart that others would also choose Him; if the opportunity was presented?; not just his "chosen"?

You cannot have it both ways: either God knew or God did not know. You must choose what you believe. If God knew then He has prepared a place for them in the Lake of Fire. If God did not know then He is not Omniscient. Which is it; did He know or did He not know:

Romans 8:28-31 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, those He also called; and whom He called, those He also justified; and whom He justified, those He also glorified. What then shall we say of these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Well, then, how about "all are called but few are chosen". What do we do with the word "all" - to me it means ALL. It doesn't mean ALL WILL - to me it means ALL have the equal opportunity presented to them. And ... this is where I rely on God saying it's His desire that none should perish. And ... therefore He would have to die for ALL.

Actually, the Matthew verse to which you alude says: "many are called but few are chose." In any event, even if I grant you "all" you still must explain what it means to be chosen. Unless you are going to deny God's Omniscience, then your position is illogical and unBiblical and rather horrible in nature. If you are going to deny it, then you are engaged in heretical beliefs.

Did God know or did God not know?

...but didn't He have hope in his heart that others would choose Him?

Can God be surprised?

No.