Franz Hasel was born in Vienna, Austria. When he was 40 years old and married with three children, he was drafted into the army of Adolf Hitler. As a Seventh-day Adventist, he asked to serve as a non-combatant medic, but was instead placed on the front lines building bridges for Hitler’s war machine. It was either that or be shot. Determined, by God’s grace, to be true to his faith, Hasel brought his Bible, into the battle with him. As the war progressed, Hasel faced many challenges but remained true, eventually winning the confidence and admiration of many of his fellow soldiers, including his company commander.

As the German front pushed east, Hasel and company eventually found themselves deep into the Russian territory of the Soviet Union. But in spite of the demands of military life, Hasel was faithful in reading his Bible daily.

One day he was summoned to the commander’s office and told to bring his Bible with him. Duti – fully he arrived at the appointed time and was surprised to find his supervising sergeant and lieutenant there as well. Without delay the commander began asking questions regarding various Bible teachings. Patiently Hasel answered the commander’s questions, showing him answers from the Bible texts. Eventually the commander was satisfied and exclaimed, “So you do know your Bible inside and out!”

Now it was Hasel’s turn to ask some questions. Knowing that in civilian life the commander was a history professor, Hasel stated, “The Bible contains some prophecies with historical content that were written around 600 B.C. . . . I have always wanted to check them out with an expert in the field. Would you be willing to let me present them, and then give me your feedback on the accuracy of the facts?” The commander readily agreed, and Hasel proceeded with the intriguing study found in Daniel 2, explaining how the different metals of gold, silver, bronze, and iron represented the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Astonished, the commander confirmed the historical accuracy of the ancient prophecy. He then asked about the meaning of the image’s feet. “Franz explained the 10 toes represented the 10 tribes of modern Europe. He described the characteristics of iron and clay that make it impossible for these two substances to stick together. With that, he brought the Bible study to a conclusion.”

The commander was quiet for a moment, then asked, “What does it mean?” Praying for courage, Hasel explained, “The only conclusion a Bible student can come to is that the Führer cannot win this war. It will not be possible for him to unite Europe under his leadership and establish his 1,000-year Third Reich.” Pressing the point further, he added, “Sir, the Bible’s predictions have been proved accurate again and again. And if they’re accurate here, it means that we’re fighting a losing battle.”

Everyone in the room was silent. Suddenly the commander stood up, announcing it was time for lunch, and asking to borrow Franz’s Bible. A week later the commander returned the Bible, telling Franz privately, “I appreciate what you shared with me. From now on we will no longer operate a third of our motorized vehicles. The gasoline rations thus saved I want you to store in drums and canisters so that when the end comes, we will have enough fuel to get back home.”

Based on the commander’s actions because of his belief in the accuracy of the interpretation of Daniel 2, and specifically of the image’s toes conveying the fact that Europe would never unite, the company had enough fuel for their retreat, saving the life of Hasel and several others, including the commanding officer who believed.

Franz’s son Gerhard, born in 1935, became a Seventh-day Adventist theologian, and Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology as well as Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University.

The book of Daniel is the most apocalyptic book in the Old Testaments with some stunning prophecies. If you would like to receive a short daily commentary on this book, then you can indicate in the comment section of this story your desire to be part of this coming devotional series by SMS.