WHAT IS LIFE GOING TO BE LIKE UNDER THE ANTICHRIST?

Recently a book was sent to us entitled, Trapped in Hitler’s Hell. My wife began to read the book and I soon became irritated because she could not put the book down. I found out why when I started to read the book, I was riveted to it, despite a number of things that I needed to do. As a result, I just pushed them aside and finished the book.

This book is special for two reasons, it is a true story and an account of German Jews who became devoted Christians in the early 1930’s. Anita Dittman, with the help of Jan Markell takes you back to Germany during the early years of the rise of the Nazi Party. Anita shares in an interesting way the details of daily living in a nation which was slowly descending into one of the most horrible dictatorships to ever exist on the earth. As the iron grip of the Nazi Party squeezed not only the Jews, but all people living in Germany at that time, Anita and her mother survived through their faith in Jesus Christ as the country was headed to a catastrophic destruction. They encountered daily miracles which encouraged them and helped them to escape death many times. Anita shares how a personal faith in Jesus Christ made it possible for them to endure such a horrible lifestyle that not even a prisoner in the United States has ever encountered.

As I read the book, I could not help but think about the time in the future when the Antichrist is going to take control over this earth. What will it be like to be rejected out of daily living and forbidden to receive essential things needed to sustain life? This book will make you cry, angry, and disgusted with the diabolical Nazi doctrine; and furthermore, you be thankful that it was crushed and totally destroyed by 1945.

The lives of the Dittman's will teach you valuable lessons on how to not only live and survive in a dictatorship but also be victorious as a Christian at the same time. Their testimony will make you question your level of faith and make you desire to be more like Jesus. I believe that every Christian should read this book in order to be prepared for what is coming in the future. In reading about the Dittman’s, you will be extremely thankful for what you have in your life, and that we as Americans do not have anything to complain about, rather, we should be thankful for the blessings which God has bestowed upon us.

There is another book that I would like to recommend to you at this time entitled, Otto Pray, Otto Pray. It complements Trapped in Hitler’s Hell, since it is the story of two young German Christians, Otto and Ursula Reichert who were living in Germany as well. Both of them were young teenagers who were forced into service by the Nazis. Otto was drafted into the German Navy but ended up serving on the eastern front fighting the Red Army as an infantry man. Ursula was pressed into office work in the huge German Navy complex in Hamburg. Otto survived the Russian front, even though he was captured twice by Red Army soldiers, and Ursula survived the devastating bombing raids on Hamburg.

They met briefly early in the war and were married, only to be separated during the horrible years in which the war lasted. Their narrative will tell you what went on in the minds of young German Christians who hated Hitler and his war but were trapped and could not get out. Trapped in Hitler’s Hell will give you the perspective from German Christian Jews and Otto Pray, Otto, Pray from viewpoint of German Christians. Both books agree on the following points:

• There can be no hate; we have to forgive our enemies.

• God is in total control. Christians have the power to steer away falling bombs and flying bullets.

• Faith is the key. We need to keep our faith in a loving God who sent His only begotten Son to die for all men that all men may have the chance to be saved and spend eternity in heaven with God.

I had the privilege to travel to Oregon with my wife and meet Otto and Ursula in person. We spent a couple of days in their lovely home and heard them share their story. My recommendation is that you order both books, and then plan on being occupied for a few days, since I know you will not be able to put the books down until you have finished reading them.

John S. Torell