Howard Pittman's Life After Death Testimony

The apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrews, "Without holiness no one shall see God." Heb 12:14.  And he said we must pursue this holiness, since it is essential in order to see God.  This is something we need to be reminded of once again.

I'd like to share a shocking testimony with you from a minister of the gospel who died from a massive internal hemorrhage and returned to life.  Although he had repented of his sins and prayed to ask Jesus into his life prior to dying, he was not ready to meet the Lord.

Dedicated Pastor and Foster Father Unacceptable to the Lord

Brother Howard Pittman

Howard Pittman was raised as a Christian, who heard the Bible daily at home.  He was ordained as a pastor and trained in seminary.  He served 20 years in law enforcement while pastoring.  He and wife have 3 children and foster parented 32 others between ages 18 months and 18 years! He died on Aug 3, 1979, and stood at the gates of heaven, pleading for his life.

God have him a message in an audible voice.  Instead of sweet and lovely, it was thunderous and had a tone of wrath.  It knocked him on his face and sapped every bit of strength from him.  The Lord said: “Your faith is dead.  Your works are in vain.  The life that you live and offer to me as a life of Christian service I rejected that as an abomination in the Pharisee.  What made you think that I would take that from a Laodicean-type Christian?  In fact, untold millions are living the same life that you lived, and they stand in danger of My everlasting wrath.”

A Laodicean Christian is lukewarm and serves God with his lips but not his heart. This is the hypocritical Christian.

Howard was shocked to hear this.  He was sure God had him mixed up with someone else.  He was a preacher and teacher.  He had lived a life of service and devotion to God.  But the Lord showed him that it was true.

Howard did not do his good works for the Lord.  He did them for a false god.  Howard called Jesus Lord every day, but Jesus told him, “You didn’t mean it.”  Lord means ruler of life.  Whoever you obey is your Lord.

Jesus identified his god: "The loveliest god you’ll ever know – SELF."  Self ruled Howard’s life.  He fell on his face.  The scales fell from his eyes.  He realized he was pleading for the wrong life.  He was pleading for his earthly life instead of his eternal life.  He says now nothing else matters but “My father and his will.”

I urge you to listen to his testimony (see here on Youtube).

Putting it All Together

Howard was saved when this experience happened. He considered himself a Christian.  He had confessed Jesus as Lord.  He was sincere in seeking God.  And he didn't have a clue that he was unacceptable to Him.  He had "invisible sins" that he was unaware of, but which God hated.  And if he had not truly and completely repented for these sins, he would have ended up in hell.  Thankfully for him, he did repent and came back with an important message for us to hear.

Although Howard Pittman has since passed on into glory, he had many years of fruitful preaching after his after-death experience. The Lord gave him a message of repentance, holiness, and the need to be ready for His soon return.  He warned of the coming judgment that will shake everything that can be shaken.  The Day of the Lord is at hand and we need to get ready people.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.

Author's note:  This post is a follow up on the following articles I've written recently: The Fiery Sufferings of the Believer, Holy Fire Baptism, The Refiner's Fire, Avoid Becoming a Corrupted Christian, Garments of Godliness, Keeping Your Body Pure and Holy, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Keeping Sundays Holy, The Cost of Discipleship, Salvation with Fear and Trembling. You may also visit the Main Directory for Eternal Destinations for more testimonies like this, or see my complete collection of blogs at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.