Just before World War II, Joachim von Ribbentrop was a familiar figure in the San Francisco Bay section of the United States. He was a handsome addition to the best social circles of this country, and was noted for wearing a monocle, so beloved by German aristocrats. Possessing diplomatic immunity and arrogantly oblivious of danger to others, he zoomed over our highways in a showy, foreign made car, and his name was often seen in the newspapers. A former wine merchant, he had attained a position of power because he was a close friend of Adolf Hitler. Hitler had sent him to San Francisco as German Consul, and he later became Hitler's Foreign Minister.
As a German diplomat in San Francisco, Ribbentrop was in a good position to carry on dangerous spy activity, and we Americans weren't too happy about his presence among us. But while our countries were still formally at peace with each other, von Ribbentrop got about, and his children attended our American schools.
How true is the proverb: "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Prov. 16:1818Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18). Because of the turn of events, von Ribbentrop's death was not as one of the world's mighty ones. He was executed as a criminal upon a gallows. But "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Rom. 11:3333O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33).
During his last months in Nuremburg Prison, awaiting the execution of his sentence, the God of all grace made Himself known to this arch criminal. Because of the work of His Spirit in the prisoner's heart, there is good reason to believe that we shall see Joachim von Ribbentrop in heaven—a sinner saved by infinite grace.
World War II ended in disaster for Hitler and his strong men. During the final days of fighting in Berlin, Hitler died, probably by his own hand. His leaders and counselors were arrested by the allied armies and tried as those who had plotted World War II. Von Ribbentrop, with ten others, faced death by hanging.
As he waited in Nuremburg Prison, this condemned man had many visits with an American army chaplain who knew the Savior, and loved God's Word. When this Christian, Chaplain Gerecke, visited him the first time, von Ribbentrop remarked with a sneer that "this business of religion was not as serious as the chaplain felt." But ere long von Ribbentrop began to realize his desperate situation.
How true is the saying we often hear: "Man's extremity is God's opportunity"! As a last resource this Nazi criminal began to read the Bible. His unbelieving mind was slow to accept the blessed truth of God's holy Word, but at last the simplicity of the way of salvation became clear to him, and he cast himself upon Him who has said: "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).
It is reliably reported that von Ribbentrop spent many hours of his last days on earth in reading his Bible. For him, time was running out. Could he have spent it better?
He was the first of eleven men to go to the gallows.
Just before leaving his cell, he and the chaplain knelt in the little room for their last prayer together. In it von Ribbentrop stated that all his trust was in Christ.
Chaplain Gerecke accompanied the doomed man to the last. As he stood upon the gallows, he made his final statement. Then he turned to the chaplain who had spent long hours faithfully preaching Christ to him. His farewell was: "I'll see you again!"
"I'll see you again!" How the chaplain's heart warmed to this expression of faith! They were parting forever here on earth. But "I'll see you again!" said von Ribbentrop. When? O glorious meeting!