That would basically be a punishment from God -- a withdrawal of His mercy.
Yes. It reminds me of 2 Thess 2:10-11—that God will send the operation of error to believe lies to those who do not love the truth.
Since I first encountered these verses, they chill my bones:
And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying: That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity.