Editor's Note: As the end of 2018 approaches, Charisma is looking back at the major events of the year, from Billy Graham's death to sexual assault stories to wildfires to the historic North Korea summit and everything in between. The following is one of our top stories of the year. The information presented in the story was accurate at the time of reporting. Continue to follow Charisma News for all the latest updates for these stories and more.
This article was published March 2nd.
During her father's funeral, Anne Graham Lotz told the audience the prophetic significance behind the date of Billy Graham's death.
"When he died, that was something very strategic from heaven's point of view," Lotz said during her portion of the eulogy. "I know that before the foundations of the world were laid, Feb. 21, 2018 was the date that God chose to take my father home. Why?"
When Lotz researched the date, she discovered that Feb. 21, 2018, is the day Jews focus on the Scripture reading that deals with the death of Moses.
"Moses was the great liberator," Lotz says. "He brought millions of people out of bondage, slavery, got them to the edge of the promised land, and God took him to heaven."
After Moses' death, God raised up Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land.
"My father was also a great liberator," Lotz says. "He brought millions of people out of bondage to sin, and gets us to the edge of heaven, the edge of the promised land, and God has called him home. And could it be that God is going to bring Joshua into the promised land, lead us into heaven?"
In the New Testament, "Joshua" is translated as "Jesus."
"I believe this is a shot across the bow of heaven, and I believe God is saying, 'Wake up, church! Wake up, world! Wake up, Anne! Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming,'" Lotz says.
"Jesus said that when the gospel is preached to the whole world as it is today in this service, as it is through churches, missionaries, ministries, Jesus said in Matthew 24:14, 'When the gospel is preached, then the end will come.'"
After her eulogy-turned-sermon, Twitter was ablaze with praise for the woman Graham called the best preacher in the family.
So powerful, Ann Graham Lotz speaking @BillyGraham funeral. "I will do the work of an evangelist..." AMEN! pic.twitter.com/a8WtoIByZd
— Christine Caine (@ChristineCaine) March 2, 2018
I join with @AnneGrahamLotz to pledge before God to faithfully preach the Gospel of Christ until I enter eternity regardless of the cost. #BillyGrahamFuneral #hope #weeping @CissieGLynch @Franklin_Graham
— Penny Nance (@PYNance) March 2, 2018
Anne Graham Lotz... wow. Mantle passing from Moses to Joshua. Powerful. Prophetic
— Douglas Witherup (@douglaswitherup) March 2, 2018
Billy Graham Memorial. Wow. First memorial I have ever taken notes while listening from home. Absolutely incredible.
— Meghan Howard (@revhoward18) March 2, 2018
"Live your life in such a way that 5 minutes before you meet Jesus you have no regrets." Anne Graham-Lotz
My wife and I are in tears listening to Anne Graham Lotz @AGLotz preach the gospel! WOW! What an anointing! #BillyGraham
— Ron Cantor (@RonSCantor) March 2, 2018
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