I'd suggest that you have this backwards. Say that Adam had a choice-Paradise or away from God's presence. We know what He chose. Say that everyone is the same way-not wanting to serve God. They would rather reign in hell than serve in heaven. Now, let's suppose that God wants to make His holiness known to those who are perishing and He elects to use a chosen few to make His presence known. They really don't deserve it because they aren't any better than the rest-but God just declares them righteous so that He can show the world His justice and grace. He calls them through a burning bush, through the ark on a dark night in the temple, or on the Damascus Road. He shows them what He is really like, that He cares for people who constantly reject Him-time and time again. Why He suffers such indignation from us I cannot say but those who believe also suffer, albeit in a small way, in His suffering.
In a synergistic world, God pre-ordaining people to hell makes no sense and I agree with you. But that is exactly what we know to be true. I would suggest your synergistic view cannot be correct. This was all planned and is being executed exactly as God ordained.
You are a dear brother, HarleyD. I thank God for your deep knowledge of scripture and the hours of reflection on our Lord that have been a part of your life.
I simply don’t see it as real caring to say to people that you care when you’ve simultaneously removed any hope of salvation for them even before they existed in this realm.
It is caring to assign the wicked to hell. I have no problem with that.
Therefore, God’s actual caring for the people of Ninevah, those NOT His people, says that His caring is real.
The conclusion: EVERYONE has hope. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.