God assigns us to the various roles
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev 1:6)
God is creating a Kingdom. The Kingdom is in Heaven now but soon is to come to the earth.
In order for a kingdom to function there must be a king and then a governing nobility. An army must be trained. Judges must be carefully educated and disciplined. In addition there are numerous other roles and tasks that work together to form the kingdom.
The King is Jesus. He has come to earth and has been perfected in obedience.
Now various ranks of the nobility are being prepared. After this there will be lesser roles to fill
The point is, it is not enough to forgive people as a prerequisite for their place in the Kingdom. They also must pass the tests that have to do with their assignment. Passing the tests is termed "overcoming."
Each believer has a mark set before him or her. If he is to be set in his place in the Kingdom he must attain to the mark, just as is true of any position of responsibility on the earth.
Salvation is not eternal residence in Heaven. Salvation is deliverance from the guilt and power of sin, and then success in cooperating with the Holy Spirit as He trains us for our role in the Kingdom.
If we hope to be in the first resurrection of the dead, the resurrection of the royal priesthood, we must, as Paul, attain to this "out-resurrection" by a life given completely to knowing the power of Christ's resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection (Greek out-resurrection) of the dead. (Phil 3:10-11)
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Rev 20:6)
Let us think now about some of the roles that must be filled in order for the Kingdom of God to operate properly. Participation in these roles is impossible until we first have been "saved," meaning we have been delivered from the guilt and power of sin.
A bride for the Lamb (Rev 21:9).
A living temple for God (Ephesians 2:22).
A member of the A living temple for God (Ephesians 2:22).
A member of the Body of Christ, the Servant of the Lord (Isaiah 42:1; 1 Corinthians 12:12).
A vehicle for the end-time revival (Isaiah 60:1,2).
People who can restore Paradise on the earth (Romans 8:21).
A royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9).
Witnesses of God (Isaiah 43:10).
Sons of God (Rev 21:7).
Brothers of Christ (Romans 8:29).
Overcomers of the accuser (Rev 12:11 Rev 12:26-27).
Judges of men and angels (1 Corinthians 6:2,3).
A wall of defense around the Glory of God (Rev 21:14).
The revelation of Himself-God in Christ in the saints (Rev 3:12).
There will be nations of saved people who will serve as an inheritance for the Lamb and His Wife (Rev 21:24).