Anne Graham Lotz Says This Generation Could See Christ's Return
Elizabeth Delaney
Audio By Carbonatix
By Elizabeth Delaney, Crosswalk.com
There have been plenty of people over the course of history who have attempted to name the specific day and time in which Christ will return. However, the Bible very clearly states in Matthew 24:36 that no one can know the specific day or time, but Jesus Himself tells us that we can know when His return is near in His parable of the fig tree. (Matthew 24:32-34). He gives us specific signs that we can watch, many of which Anne Graham Lotz referenced in one of her recent teachings.
Anne Graham Lotz is the daughter of the late Billy Graham. In fact, Billy Graham publicly referred to her as “The best preacher in the family.” She has had a teaching ministry for over 30 years and has faithfully continued in her calling even after being widowed about 10 years ago.
Lotz has taught in 12 different countries, has been profiled on many different television programs, and is the author of several books, according to her website.
Lotz Explains What the Bible Says about the Generation That Will See Christ’s Return
“You cannot know the day or the hour, but [Jesus] didn’t say you couldn’t know the generation,” Lotz said in a CBN podcast picked up by Faithwire.”And he told us to watch – that we’re not supposed to be caught by surprise when all these things take place.”
She noted one of the most thrilling signs for her, personally, is, “…when He says the Gospel will be preached to the whole world and then the end will come.”
The day and time in which we live has that capability far beyond any other generation, especially because of the internet and the many platforms it offers. In this generation, the message of the Gospel is literally able to be taught or preached around the world because of the technology available to us.
Lotz Believes Christ’s Return Is Imminent
Lotz spoke at Maranatha Chapel a few months ago and told the crowd that she believes that “We’re looking at the imminent return of Jesus.”
She spoke of the importance of knowing what time it is, both in the physical and in the spiritual. If people don’t know what time it is, they can miss what’s important. Lotz tied this in to Matthew 16, when Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders of that day, and the ways that they could tell what season it was or whether or not rain was coming. However, they missed the first coming of the Messiah because they weren’t paying attention to the signs of His coming, which are all throughout the Old Testament. They were also expecting more of a political messiah who would overthrow Rome.
Likewise, there are signs that point to His second return, too. And the frequency and intensity will increase with the closeness of His return. In fact, the Bible mentions the second return of Christ eight times more than His first coming, according to Making Him Known.
Some of the signs Lotz highlighted when she spoke at Maranatha Chapel include:
-Spiritual signs – many false christs, or false messiahs. Lotz referred to a false messiah as someone who promises peace and prosperity but doesn’t deliver.
-Persecution of Christians – in 2023, there were 365 million Christians who were persecuted around the world, and 380 million in 2024.
-Increase in anti-Semitism – Lotz referenced the Holocaust and October 7, 2023, as just two examples. These are probably the most well-known. Lotz also referenced a CNN survey she heard that stated that nearly half the world’s population has antisemitic beliefs.
-Divisions in the church – especially over homosexuals and homosexual marriage, gender transitions, church doctrine, politics and sanctity of life.
-False prophets – Lotz said the best way to know the difference between false and true prophets is by knowing God’s Word for yourself.
-Wars and rumors of wars – A couple of recent examples are the war between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the war between Israel and Hamas / Hezbollah. She mentioned that there was a rumor at one point that the U.S. and U.K would join forces to attack Iran. However, the newest rumor is that the U.N. is uniting to protect Poland and the Baltic states as they defend themselves against possible Russian aggression that is carrying over from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
-Nation rising against nation -- Lotz suggests that this is ethnic groups rising against ethnic groups. There have certainly been several instances reported in the news of one ethnic group attacking another in the recent past.
Environmental Signs of the End Times
Lotz also spoke of the increase in natural disasters, connecting this with the second part of Matthew 24:7, which speaks of famines and earthquakes in various places.
“In 2024, in America, there were 403 record-breaking disasters. They cost over 2.9 trillion dollars. Globally, it was the hottest year on record. There was a record-breaking drought in the United States. Famine hunger doubled worldwide in 2024. There were 300 million people facing starvation in 2023, and that doubled in 2024 according to the United Nations,” she said.
Lotz also noted that earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires are all increasing in frequency, and they’re record-breaking as they increase in intensity.
Signs in the Heavens
Lotz spoke about recent total lunar eclipses, also known as blood moons. She mentioned that in 2024 and 2025, there was a total lunar eclipse (blood moon) during the Feast of Purim, and there will be another one in 2026. This particular feast is connected to the book of Esther and a time when the Jewish race was endangered by the Persians. Purim is a celebration of Israel’s victory from near inhalation by genocide, but Lotz mused if perhaps the blood moons are a warning that we’re entering a major time of war.
“Rabbis especially see this as a warning to Israel,” she said.
And looking back in the recent past, she points out that Israel was in a war in 2024 and has been in one during 2025. She suggested 2026 could be an intensification of these wars against Israel.
All of these signs are things that take place in one generation, and not only do they increase in frequency, but intensity, she said. At the same time, most people are going about life without giving these things much thought, just like in the days of Noah.
It’s important that we don’t become indifferent to God’s Word, and that we’re hiding it in our hearts, because the deception about God and His Word will also increase in intensity. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:24 that if possible, even the very elect will be deceived.
What Is the Biggest Sign That Christ’s Return Is Near?
One of the biggest signs that we are near the return of Christ is the fact that Israel was reborn as a nation in 1948. Lotz believes that the fig tree is symbolic of Israel in the parable of the Fig tree in Matthew 24:36-44
From the time she was approximately a teenager, Lotz said she has believed she would be around for the return of Christ.
Sounds a little bit like Anna in Luke 2:36-38.
Lotz has been insistent throughout her time in ministry on the importance of praying for America. She has also made a point of letting God’s people know that it’s important to pay attention and watch for Christ’s return, to remain busy in doing the work of the Kingdom, and to witness to others when we get the chance, so that we’d be found faithful when He does return.
“This is a time to get really serious about prayer…prayer for our nation and that [we] stand in the gap for America,” she said in a CBN interview.
When asked if we’re in the end times, Lotz replied, “With all my heart, I believe so. I believe we’re at the end of the end times.”
She went on to note that she based her conviction on scripture, especially Matthew 24, which has specific signs listed and categorized. She said she watches for these and sees them increasing in frequency and intensity. More specifically, besides the rebirth of Israel as a nation, technology allows the Gospel to be preached around the world, which is also a major sign of something that must occur before Christ returns. It’s this generation, Lotz says, that will see the return of Christ (Matthew 24:14).
Photo Credit: @Facebook/AnneGrahamLotz/poasted January 16, 2023
Elizabeth Delaney has been a freelance content writer for over 20 years and has enjoyed having her prose published in both the non-fiction and fiction markets. She has written various types of content, including Christian articles, healthy lifestyle, blog posts, business topics, news articles, product descriptions, and some fiction. She is also a singer-songwriter-musician. When she is not busy with writing or music, she enjoys spending time with friends or family and doing fun social activities such as hiking, swing dancing, concerts, and other activities.
