In 2015, Pastor Mark Cowart sat down with Howard Pittman to discuss his profound near-death experience that occurred on August 3, 1979. Pittman, a former Southern Baptist pastor and law enforcement officer, shared his journey from clinical death to a spiritual awakening that reshaped his understanding of salvation and the afterlife.
A Journey Beyond the Veil
On that fateful day in 1979, Pittman suffered a ruptured aortic artery, leading to massive internal bleeding. After being pronounced clinically dead, his spirit left his body and was escorted by angels through the spiritual realms. He was shown Satan's kingdom in the second heaven—a realm of darkness and deception—and then brought to the gates of heaven. There, he had a life-altering encounter with God, who revealed the true nature of his life and service.Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife
A Sobering Revelation
During his encounter, God spoke to Pittman, stating, "Your faith is dead; your works are in vain; the life you lived and offered to me as a life of Christian service is an abomination that I rejected." This revelation was shocking to Pittman, who had dedicated his life to ministry. He realized that his service had been based on self-righteousness rather than genuine faith and obedience to God.YTScribe
A Stark Statistic
One of the most startling aspects of Pittman's experience was the vision of souls entering heaven. He observed that, in a 15-minute span, 50 souls entered heaven, while over 1,900 others perished. This equates to less than 3% of individuals dying during that period making it to heaven. Pittman emphasized that this statistic was not just a reflection of that moment but a broader reality about the state of humanity's spiritual condition.YTScribe
A Five-Point Message to the Church
From his experience, Pittman received a five-point message to share with the Church:otakada.org+1YTScribe+1
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The Laodicean Church Age: Many Christians are lukewarm, professing faith without true commitment.
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Satan's Personal Influence: Satan is a personal adversary, actively seeking to deceive and destroy.
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The Necessity of Genuine Faith: True faith is demonstrated through obedience and a transformed life.
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The Imminence of Christ's Return: The Church must be vigilant, as Christ's return is near.
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The Baptism of Fire: Believers must undergo purification to be effective instruments for God's kingdom.
A Call to Action
Howard Pittman's near-death experience serves as a powerful reminder of the reality of the spiritual realm and the importance of genuine faith and repentance. His testimony challenges believers to examine their lives, ensuring that their faith is not just a profession but a living, active relationship with God. As Pittman himself stated, less than 3% of people who die each day go to heaven—a stark statistic that calls for urgent reflection and action.
