HenryP,
Whether or not Jonah's word came true was much less important than what God decided should happen. God showed compassion. Jonah was unfortunately more preoccupied with his own reputation than with the will of God or even the lives of these repentant people.
IMO, it will be the same with the GB. They feel that "apostates" should perish, yet maybe just maybe, God will feel differently!
They will be sitting waiting and waiting, yet no harm will come to apostates or the so called "world". They will have to literally bite their tongue to keep from blaspheming God!
IW