The Great Tribulation—Matthew 24:15-31

The Great Tribulation—Matthew 24:15-31

Author: Rev. Christopher Gillespie August 24, 2026 Duration: 40:42

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.

26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.

27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.



In the quiet community of Random Lake, Wisconsin, Preaching and Teaching from St. John Ev. Lutheran Church (Sherman Center) offers a steady voice of Lutheran tradition and scriptural reflection. This podcast is an extension of the congregation's life, featuring sermons and lessons grounded in the confessional standards of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Listeners will hear the consistent, expository teaching of Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie, which aims to draw the community deeper into the Word. The content is shaped by an unconditional subscription to the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, providing a clear theological foundation for every discussion. Episodes are recorded within the context of regular worship and study at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church & School, reflecting the rhythm of parish life. It is a resource for members and those curious about confessional Lutheranism, seeking thoughtful engagement with Christian doctrine. The tone is pastoral and instructional, focusing on the gifts found in Lutheran teaching. By tuning in, you join a gathering centered on scripture, much like the physical congregation in Sherman Center. This audio ministry serves to enlighten and reinforce faith through deliberate, careful biblical exposition. The podcast functions as a digital sanctuary for reflection, learning, and spiritual nourishment, extending the church's mission beyond its geographical walls. It is for anyone seeking substantive religious content from a specific, traditional Christian perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Preaching and Teaching from St. John Ev. Lutheran Church (Sherman Center), Random Lake, Wisconsin
Podcast Episodes
"He Had Compassion On You" Trinity 13 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:36
He brought you to the inn. This is the inn. He has paid the innkeeper. The bill isn’t yours, and He has said: whatever more it costs, I will repay when I come again.Your wounds — bound. Your name — His. Your body — fed w…
Jeremiah: Chapter 19 — August 30, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:32
Jeremiah 19 (NKJV)1 Thus says the Lord: “Go and get a potter’s earthen flask, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priests. 2 And go out to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which is by…
The Second Coming in Judgment—Matthew 25:31-46 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:28
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a…
The Parable of the Talents—Matthew 25:14-30 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:20
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each accordi…
"Jesus has 'ephphatha-ed' you!" - Trinity 12, August 30, 2020 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:14
From the archive: originally preached and published August 30, 2020. Jesus opened your ears and mouth when He baptized you. He put His fingers into your ears, spoke to you, and washed your sins away. When you were born,…
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins—Matthew 25:1-13 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:58
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and t…
Capernaum Needed to Hear "For You" — Friday of Trinity 12 (observed) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:05
So here’s the only question that matters. You’re about to come up to this rail and get closer to Christ than anybody in Capernaum ever got. He won’t be down the street from you. He’ll be in your mouth. What makes that a…
The Faithful Servant—Matthew 24:43-51 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:53
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming…
The Parable of the Fig Tree—Matthew 24:32-42 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:36
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the door…
"The Sigh of God" Trinity 12 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:30
Of everything Jesus does for the deaf man — the fingers, the spit, the word of power — St. Mark writes down the sigh. A sigh is the sound the curse makes coming out of a human being, and ours do nothing: we can't sigh a…