Matthew 10:21-22

Matthew 10:21-22

[21] And  the brother  shall deliver up  the brother  to  death,  and  the father  the child:  and  the children  shall rise up  against  their parents,  and  them  to be put to death.  [22] And  be hated  of  all  men for  name's sake:  but  he that  endureth  to  the end  shall be saved. 

What does Matthew 10:21-22 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The disciples would find themselves opposed by everyone without distinction, including their own family members, not just rulers. In spite of such widespread and malicious persecution the disciple must endure patiently to the end. "The end" refers to the end of this period of intense persecution, namely, the Tribulation (cf. Matthew 24:13). The second coming of the Son of Man will end it ( Matthew 10:23). The promise of salvation for the one who remains faithful does not imply eternal salvation since that depends on faith in Jesus. It is deliverance from the period of intense persecution that is in view. Entrance into the kingdom would constitute salvation for these future persecuted disciples.
Thus this verse does not say that all genuine believers will inevitably persevere in their faith and good works. [1] Rather it says that those who do during the Tribulation can expect God to deliver them at its end. Jesus was not speaking about eternal salvation but temporal deliverance. Temporal deliverance depended on faithful perseverance. Whereas "the end" has specific reference to the end of the Tribulation in Matthew 24:13, here it probably has the more general meaning of "as long as may be necessary."
If the Jews had accepted Jesus, these12disciples would have taken the message of the kingdom throughout Israel during the Tribulation period that would have followed Jesus" death, resurrection, and ascension. Before they could finish their task, Jesus would have returned from heaven. Those of them who persevered faithfully would experience deliverance from further persecution by entering the kingdom following His return. Since the Jews rejected Jesus, God postponed the kingdom for at least2 ,000 years. During the Tribulation period yet future, the144 ,000 Jewish disciples of Jesus living in Palestine and elsewhere in the world will be preparing people for Jesus" return to set up His kingdom ( Revelation 7:1-8; Revelation 14:1-5). Those who remain faithful and withstand persecution will be saved from further persecution by Jesus" return to the earth to set up His kingdom.
"If those who fight under earthly commanders, and are uncertain as to the issue of the battle, are carried forward even to death by steadiness of purpose, shall those who are certain of victory hesitate to abide by the cause of Christ to the very last?" [2]