Does Matthew 10:20:21 speak of the saints who come to Christ during the tribulation?

Does Matthew 10:20-21 speak of the saints who come to Christ during the tribulation?

Matt.10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 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 cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 10:16-23 is in reference to Jesus sending out the 12 to preach the Kingdom gospel. He gives very specific instructions for this task, but verse 21 and 22 is of particular interest, based on the change of topic, or the prophetic tone, that Jesus switches between whilst giving His instructions to the 12.

The answer to the question is 'Yes'.
Verse 21 is in reference to the persecutions that the tribulation saints will face. 

Let's take a closer look,

Verses 16 to 20 are general instructions for the 12 as to what they could do and what they could expect on their evangelical trip. The instructions are for that point of time in the 1st century.

Matt.10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

However, the next two verses, 21 and 22, are very interesting. These two verses have more of a prophetic tone and do not seemly fit in very well with the rest of the instructions. I could even expect the 12 disciples may have wondered what Jesus meant here, since the preceding instructions were clear and logical.

Lets read them first,

Matt.10:21 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 cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

The interpretation of these two verses fit better when understood from within the tribulation. The instructions to 'endure to the end' was not uncommon in the 1st century, since this was part and parcel of the Kingdom gospel, but the preceding verse seems out of place. Yes, there was persecution in Jesus day, but to this extent where brother sells out brother, etc. (At least this is my opinion!)

However, if you place this scene in the tribulation, then it makes perfect sense. Consider the tribulation, when the Antichrist is at the height of his power and Jewish (and Christian) persecution is rampant. The Antichrist will set himself up as god and will demand worship. Those tribulation saints that trust in God will be sought out and slaughtered. There might even be a price on their heads, reward for selling them out. This is where brother will turn on brother, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. As family sells out family, the saints will be killed for their faith.

After these words, Jesus returns to His instructions for the 12 concerning their evangelical trip, saying,

Matt.10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

The interesting thing about the last verse above is that the disciples never did get through evangelizing all the cities in Israel. They never even made it outside of Judea and Samaria before the Kingdom program was put on hold in Acts 15 at the Jerusalem Council meeting, and Paul's grace gospel became the only gospel of salvation to both Jews and Gentiles, even up until today.

It is only in the Millennial Kingdom where the Jews will be able to complete their 'Great Commission' and go out into ALL the world with the revived Kingdom gospel.

Zechariah 8:23 Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'In those days [the Millennial Kingdom] ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."