Anne Graham-Lotz, Franklin Graham Warn of End Times As U.S. Slides Deeper into 'Sin,' 'Immorality'

Apr 14, 2016 11:11 AM EDT

As the United States continues to slide deeper into sin, Anne Graham Lotz has warned that God may be purposefully hiding himself in preparation for a coming judgment on the nation.

"Our nation is in a mess. Why? Could it be because America is losing God's blessing? His favor. Could our sin be provoking His judgment? Judgment that is not necessarily in the form of a nuclear dirty bomb, or another ISIS attack, or an economic collapse. But a Romans 1 judgment as God backs out of our national life and turns us over to ourselves," Billy Graham's daughter wrote on her website Wednesday.

She referenced the Old Testament story in which God destroyed the nation of Judah because it continued to become more disobedient and more "wicked," choosing immorality and idolatry.

"God warns a nation that judgment is coming. He doesn't want any to perish. But if a nation does not heed His warnings, He unleashes His anger and there is nothing - no one - who can prevent it. If God would judge His own beloved nation of Judah, why would we think America could escape?" Lotz asked.

"So ... if we are coming under the judgment of God - if He is giving us over to ourselves, removing His blessing, protection, and favor - the solution will not be found in politics or the economy or the military or technology," she continued.

"The solution will be found on our knees as we humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and repent of our sin. Then plead for Him to return to us as we return to Him."

Lotz lamented that many of the prayers and calls for repentance within the Church today are more a "rending of garments" and an "outward show to impress."

"Only God knows those who are rendering their hearts as they seek Him. But I am led to ask myself ... how truly serious am I about seeking God on behalf of our nation? When was the last time I fasted and wept and mourned and confessed the sin of our nation as though it were my own? I believe the future of America hangs on the answer to that question," she said.

Lotz is not the only public religious figure to warn of God's impending wrath: Earlier this month, her brother, evangelist Franklin Graham, suggested that if the United States does not return to God, it soon may face its demise - just the Babylonian empire did nearly 2,500 years ago.

"What's the writing on the wall for America? As a nation we are found lacking because of sin and disobedience to God's Holy Word. We have not honored Him. If we don't turn back to God, I fear that our end will be near," he wrote.

Earlier, the evangelist said that in light of the increasing number of natural disasters and global tragedies currently affecting our world, the second coming of Jesus Christ is definitely close at hand.

"We know from God's Word that earthquakes, famines, and wars will increase as the day of the Lord's return draws nearer," he wrote.

He argued that the numerous world conflicts people are witnessing today reflect passages in the Bible that talk about the end times and the "distress of nations: "The Bible tells us that in the end times there will be 'distress of nations with perplexity,'" Graham said, referring to Luke 21:25.

The passage reads: "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring."

Graham concluded: "This is certainly the case today."