Does God want any person to perish?
No. God has declared that He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Scripture also states that Christ died for every man, and that whosoever will may come. Therefore, God's desire is that no person perish but that all receive repentance and salvation.
Les explains that the doctrine of election is meant for believers to understand their exalted position in Christ, not for unbelievers to fatalistically assume they have no choice. He points out that the Bible never teaches that if it is all up to election, one should not worry. Instead, the unbeliever must understand that 'whosoever will may come.' Les emphasizes that God has said, 'I am not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.' He also notes that Scripture says Christ died for every man. This reveals God's desire that no one perish, while election remains a truth for believers to accept by faith.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.