Destined for hell (or heaven)?

There is a notion in some circles that slides into the belief that God has select favorites for heaven, and the rest that do not make the favorite list have no choice but to await eternal condemnation in hell. It finds its backing in out-of-context reflections on scriptures like “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy”. 

What is interesting is that the real context of this scripture is God justifying the inclusion of people that would ordinarily not make the cut for salvation. God is not making favorites here - He is expanding the net of access for His mercies.

Yes, but what about all those other scriptures about God hardening people’s hearts? How about Pharoah?

This is a confusion that arises when people mistake God’s omniscience for pre-selection. God saying “I know who will end up choosing My way” is not and should not be taken as “I have selected those that will choose My way”. What God was saying concerning Pharoah is this: “This man already has a mean disposition - he is going to resist Me. I am going to use that hardness to accomplish My glory in delivering the Israelites.” 

Another good response to this is the potter house experience God put Jeremiah through in Jeremiah 18:7-10. 

Also, let us not forget that God has no pleasure in the death of sinners (Ezekiel 18:29 - in fact that whole chapter is an instructive reading on this matter) and that it is His will for none to perish, and for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Summary: we all have free will, and God as a Father will not force anyone to accept or reject Him. From His omniscient position, He knows those who will end up receiving Him. His sharing of this information should not be interpreted as pre-selection, as this has no basis in the scriptures.

“But shun words...as those of Hymenaeus and Philetus; 

who concerning the faith have erred, saying the resurrection is past already, 

and overthrowing the faith of some. 

Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal: 

The Lord knows them that are His. 

And let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity”  

- 2 Timothy 2:18-19