Anne Graham-Lotz Warns God Has Removed Himself From U.S., Country Entering Into 'Judgement Phase'

Apr 29, 2016 12:24 PM EDT

Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of renowned evangelist Billy Graham, has warned that God has removed himself from the United States and will soon judge the country for its rejection of Christianity.

"Romans 1 describes the type of judgment where we sin, and we refuse to repent of our sin, then He backs away from us," Lotz said last week during an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, when asked about the spiritual health of the nation.

"He removes Himself from us and He turns us over to ourselves. That's what I think I see in America. I believe we're entering into that phase of judgment, where God is backing away."

Lotz argued that certain events that have occurred in recent years signal the end times, such as the birth of the modern state of Israel, the rise of Islamic extremism, and major natural disasters.

"So when something is record-breaking, which the earthquakes, the snowstorms, the floods - they are record-breaking - that's increasing in intensity," Lotz told CBN.

"When they increase in frequency - so it's not just one historic flood this year, but now it's like this month, and now it's this week, and it's just - they're ratcheting up in frequency and in intensity."

The founder of Angel Ministries issued a similar warning in a blog post shared on her website earlier this year.

"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," she wrote in the post, titled "It's Time to Get Serious."

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 only solution, Lotz contended, 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."