If we take the plain meaning of verse 26, what it tells us that unbelievers are not Christ's sheep. Which is perfectly correct and logical. Goats are not sheep, and *goats* is used as a metaphor for unbelievers. It does NOT tell us that God prevented them from believing. It does NOT tell us that they could not believe, even if they wanted to believe.
Let's look at it again.
John 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
People don't believe because they are not sheep. That's what the plain meaning plainly says.
SO you have people making their own selves into sheep. By what they do.
Or you can have what the bible says and that is God has chosen the sheep and given them to the Lord Jesus Christ and that is why they believe.
What about the story of Noah? A few, chosen by God and saved. The majority, un-believers, perished.
That would be biblical fact, right?
What about the story of Israel? A people, chosen by God and saved. Canaan, Egypt, the majority, un-believers, perished.
Matthew 24:37-39
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Why is this any different?