Trust in God; God’s Word; Prophecy; Wisdom

The book A Thousand Shall Fall contains this remarkable story. In spite of the difficult circumstances in which he often found himself, a committed Christian serving in the German military during World War II maintained his faith in God and his belief that the Bible was truly God’s word.1 One day Franz Hasel was invited by a superior officer to bring his Bible to a morning meeting, and was surprised to find two other officers present.

One was a Lieutenant who had been hostile to Franz and his faith in God. During their discussion Franz took the opportunity to ask the gentlemen a few questions. Remembering that in civilian life the Captain had been a history professor, Franz asked him if he could check the historical accuracy of some of the Bible’s prophecies. The Captain graciously agreed.

While the men listened in rapt attention, Franz detailed the prophecy from Daniel 2, and interpreted it for the German army officers, explaining from history that after Babylon came the kingdoms of Medo-Persia, Greece and finally the iron monarchy of Rome. The former history professor was impressed. “Everything is accurate, ” he said.

“I have never heard any- thing so amazing in my life. ” But then Franz Hasel explained the rest of the dream. He actually took his life in his hands when he explained to them that the ten toes on the feet of the image represented the ten nations into which the Roman Empire dissolved.

Many, many miles from Germany—in fact, they had crossed over into 1 Susi Hasel Mundy with Maylan Schurch, A Thousand Shall Fall, Illustrated Edition (U.S.A.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2001).