I think there is another conclusion that you are overlooking, and I have been trying to point it out, but I will just say it. There is more than one salvation. There is the salvation of an unregenerate man unto eternal life, when He believes on the Lord's sacrifice as the payment for His sins. This is the free gift. Then there is the salvation of this believer at the judgment seat of Christ where he is going to be judged for his works, at which time we are told in 1 Corinthians 3 that if a man defile the temple, which temple he is, God will destroy him. Take another look at Revelation 20:
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
these are believers who overcome, they are given a crown to reign with Jesus in His kingdom. We see this promise in Rev 2 and 3
Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
The believers in rev 20:4 who are reigning with Christ are overcomers, who have fulfilled the conditions of these promises (to him that overcometh...)This is that prize of the high calling that Paul was speaking of. What do we see in the next verse?
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 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.
The only ones who are called blessed and holy, and have a part in the first resurrection, are those who are reigning with Christ, the overcoming believers. The rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years are finished. And what happens after the thousand years?
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The rest of the dead, which are everyone who is not reigning with Christ in verse 4, are brought up to appear before the great white throne, and whosoever is not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. There will be people coming up to stand at the great white throne who will be in the book of life. These people will not be the people that were reigning with Christ for the previous thousand years, but believers who for whatever reason were not living for the Lord, and took advantage of His grace. They will still be raised up on the last day, just as Jesus promised to anyone who believes on Him. This is the free gift.
