|
|
|
Update
Howard O. Pittman has permanently gone home to be with the Lord!
Howard served with the New Orleans Police Department for 26 years until
he died on August 3, 1979 and God gave him a second chance at life on
earth. Howard would go on to serve the Lord for nearly another 40 years
until he died a second time on March 13, 2019.
Howard Pittman preached and taught God’s message on nearly every
continent, and even though he has passed away, his message still
resonates through his books.
Howard Pittman has a clear message for the church: Wake
up! Learning from his near-death experience of facing an angry God for how
he had been living his Christian life, which had been excellent by
human standards, Pittman warns believers of the danger of falling into the
same trap. God's special task for him is in unveiling the tactics of Satan
and his demonic forces. One secret to victory in this life is learning how
to deal with the enemy.
The following account comes from Pittman's book,
Placebo,
concerning what he saw and experienced as he was given a guided tour of
the spirit realm after dying.
 On
August 3, 1979, Howard Pittman, a Baptist minister for 35 years, died
while on the operating table during surgery and had a near-death
experience. After angels showed him the second and third heavens, he was
taken before the very Throne of God where he was given a message to share
with the world.
When the angels lifted my spirit from my body, they carried me immediately
to the second heaven. We did not have to leave that hospital room in order
to enter the second heaven. We entered there in that same room where my
body was, just passing through a dimension wall. It is a wall which flesh
cannot pass through, only spirit.
As we moved through that dimension wall into the second heaven, I found
myself in an entirely different world, far different from anything I had
ever imagined. This world was a place occupied by spirit beings as vast in
number as the sands of the seashore. These beings were demons, or fallen
angels, and were in thousands of different shapes and forms. Some of the
forms were so morbid and revolting that I was almost to the point of
nausea.
When I first arrived in the second heaven, I knew immediately in what
direction I must go to reach the third heaven where God was. I don't know
how I knew that, but I did. I also knew that if I was going to get my
prayer answered, I was going to have to appear before God the Father in
the third heaven. I was aware that I was traveling in that spirit world
under the protection of the Holy Spirit, and that the angels who were
escorting me were also moving about under the protection of the Holy
Spirit.
As we moved about there in that world, I was greatly disappointed that my
escorts did not take me in the direction of the third heaven where God
was. Instead, we moved in the opposite direction. As we moved from place
to place in that world, I learned many things about demons.
I did things differently in the spirit realm than what we do here in the
physical world. For instance, we did not communicate with our mouths and
ears, but rather, we communicated with our minds. It was like projecting
our words on thought waves and receiving the answer the same way. Although
I could still think to myself without projecting, I discovered that this
really did not benefit me because the angels could read my mind.
I could hear different sounds in that world, but I did not hear with my
ears. I heard with my mind, but I was still able to "hear" those sounds.
When we traveled, we traveled mostly at what I call the "speed of
thought." When we traveled at the "speed of thought", there was no
sensation of movement. The angel would say where we were going and we were
there. There were other times when we did not travel in that manner, and I
was very much aware of movement while traveling. One of those times when I
was aware of movement was when they brought me back into the physical
world and allowed me to see the demons working here. We moved about here
somewhat like floating on a cloud. Still, I had the sensation of movement.
When we started the tour of the second heaven, the angels began by showing
me the different types of demons. Each demon was revealed to me in a form
that indicated his area of expertise, and I soon discovered that there is
no such thing as a "general practitioner" in all the demon world. The
demons are all experts in their fields. They have only one area of
expertise which they do very well. "At one time during this tour of the
second heaven, I watched the demons within their own related group and I
experienced an awful feeling. It was an overwhelming, oppressive, and
morbid feeling. This feeling came to me shortly after I had entered the
second heaven and I wondered what was causing it. It was at this time that
I learned that the angels could read my mind because my guardian angel
said to me, "That feeling you are wondering about is caused by the fact
that there is no love in this world." The angel was telling me that in
this second heaven there is not one bit of love! Wow! Can you imagine all
of those demons serving a master they don't love and the master ruling
over beings that he doesn't love? Worse than that, their companions are
working together for an eternity and they do not even love each other.
I started reflecting on what our physical world, called the first heaven,
would be like without love. If God had not introduced his love here in our
world, then we would be living in a no-love atmosphere like the second
heaven. By God giving us his love, we are able to return that love and
then love one another. Can you imagine what it would be like in your own
home or your community if it was totally void of love?
My escorts then told me that they wanted me to see
demon activity in the outside world. I was then escorted outside the
hospital directly through the brick wall into the streets of that city. I
was amazed as I watched all the activity of the humans in the physical
world. Going about their daily pursuit, they were completely unaware that
they were being stalked by beings from the spirit world. I was totally
flabbergasted as I watched and horrified as I saw the demons in all shapes
and forms as they moved at will among the humans. "When the angels decided
that I had seen enough of the demons at work in this physical world, I was
taken back into the second heaven just by passing through the dividing,
dimension wall. Once back inside the second heaven, my escort guided me in
this direction of the third heaven and I was happy at last. After all,
this was where I had wanted to go all the time. Even at this stage, my
physical life was still my primary concern.
Suddenly we came to a most beautiful place. I know that I've already
reported how terrible that second heaven was, so you can imagine how
surprising it was to find anything beautiful over there. God would not
allow me to retain the memory of why this place was so beautiful. I do
remember that it was the most beautiful place I'd ever seen. This place
looked like a tunnel, a roadway, a valley or some sort of highway. It had
a most brilliant light all its own and was completely surrounded with an
invisible shield. I knew that the invisible shield was the protection of
the Holy Spirit.
Walking in this tunnel, or along that roadway, or valley, or whatever, was
what appeared to be human beings. I asked my escort who they were. He told
me, "They are saints going home." These were the departed spirits of
Christians who had died on Earth and they were going home. Each of these
saints was accompanied by at least one guardian angel and some had a whole
host of angels with them.
I wondered why some saints were accompanied by only one angel and others
had many. I was watching as the saints passed through the way that all
saints must take to go home. Here it was the passageway from Earth to the
third heaven.
Instead of allowing me to enter, the angel stationed me before the gates,
slightly to one side. He instructed me to stay there and watch as the
saints were permitted to enter into heaven. As the saints were allowed
into heaven, I noticed a strange thing. They were permitted to enter only
one at a time. No two were permitted to enter those gates at the same
time. I wondered about this but it was never explained to me.
When the last of the fifty saints had entered into the third heaven, I
started to enter but my escort stopped me. He told me that if I entered I
could not come out and that I would have to stay there until the Father
brought me back. The angels told me that all who enter the third heaven
must remain there until brought back to this physical world by Christ
Himself.
When the angel said I could not enter unless I stayed. I protested, "But
if I can't come out then my body will die! That will defeat my whole
purpose!" was my emphatic rebuttal. Still my physical life, even at this
point in time, was more important that anything else. My escort told me to
stand to one side of the gates and present my case. He assured me that God
would hear and answer my request. "As I stood before the gates, the sense
of joy, happiness, and contentment radiated out from heaven. I could feel
the warmth it produced and as I stood there to plead my case, I could feel
the awesome power of God.
Boldly I came before the throne and started out by reminding God what a
great life of love, worship, and sacrifice I had lived for him. I told him
of all the works I had done reminding him that I had accepted him when I
was quite young and that I had served him all my life for all these many
years. I reminded him that I was now in trouble and only God could help by
granting me an extension of my physical life. God was totally silent while
I spoke. When I had completed my request, I heard the real, audible voice
of God as God answered me.
The sound of his voice came down on me from over the gates even before the
words hit me. The tone of his anger knocked me on my face as God proceeded
to tell me just what kind of life I had really lived. God told me what God
really thought of me and even others who did as I had. God pointed out
that my faith was dead, that my works were not acceptable, and that I had
labored in vain. God told me that it was an abomination for me to live
such a life and then dare call it a life of worship.
I could not believe God was talking to me in this manner! I had served him
for years! I thought I had lived a life pleasing to him! As God was
enumerating my wrongs, I was sure God had me confused with someone else.
There was no strength left in me to even move, let alone protest, yet I
was panicking within myself.
No way God could be talking about me! I just could not believe that what
God said was referring to me! All of these years I thought I was doing
those works for God! Now God was telling me that what I did, I did for
myself. Even as I preached and testified about the saving grace of Jesus
Christ, I was doing that only for myself in order that my conscience might
be soothed. In essence, my first love and first works were for myself.
After MY needs and wants were met or satisfied, in order to soothe my
conscience I would set out to do the Lord's work. This made my priorities
out of order and unacceptable. Actually, I had become my own false God.
Only now as I was here before him being chastised did
those two portions of scripture become crystal clear to me as to their
true meaning. As God told me about my true motives, I could see plainly
for the first time how my works were dead. Because God was displaying his
wrath toward me, I could not stand nor could I speak. No strength was left
within me as I was nothing more than a wet rag lying there writhing in
agony.
It needs to be stated that at no time while God was chastising me did God
say I was not saved nor did God say that my name was not in the lamb's
book of life. God never mentioned salvation to me at all but only spoke
about the works produced through my life. God told me the type of life I
lived was an unacceptable life for a true Christian. As God spoke to me of
my dead works, God indicated that there are some people who are not saved
but think they are. "When God was through with me the interview was over
as suddenly as one would turn off a faucet. I was not allowed to linger or
even reflect on what God said. The angels immediately carried me away as
if I were a wet rag having no strength in myself. Totally annihilated, I
could not even gather my thoughts.
The angels carried me back through the second heaven, through the
dimension wall, and into the hospital room where my body was lying. It was
not until I reached the bed upon which my body lay did I regain my
composure. As I regained my composure, I vehemently protested, "No! No!" I
told the angels, "God did not answer me! God did not say yes or no to my
request! Please, oh please, take me back!" I pleaded with the angels.
Upon my arrival back before the third heaven, I was brought to the same
place from which I had previously pleaded my case. Not nearly so bold this
time, I remembered how God's wrath had floored me beforehand.
Nevertheless, I had asked God for a favor and God had not answered.
Wanting his answer no matter what it was, I timidly started pleading my
case again.
This time God did not knock me down but let me talk. God did not talk to
me in anger but started out answering me in a tone of pity. Before it was
all over, God was speaking in sorrow.
Opening my plea by quoting scriptures to God, I began by telling him all
about Hezekiah. I told God that I figured out that Hezekiah was the
"good-old-boy" type that the intentions of his heart were pure, but he
seemed to be unable to translate out those intentions into everyday
living. Here I was, an insignificant nothing and the smallest creature in
his entire universe, bartering words with this great and awesome God who
had created it all.
I said, "Father, if You will grant this request, I promise you I will do
better the next time."
The Lord answered me thusly, "Howard Pittman, you have promised before."
God did not have to say another word. There they were, all the promises I
had made to a holy God in my past entire life. Not one of them remained
whole. Somehow, someway, I had managed to break them all. With nothing
left to say, no words in all my vocabulary, nowhere to go, I fell on my
knees before him. All I could say was "Amen" to my own condemnation. I
knew that if at that moment God would banish me into the pits of hell, it
would be just to say "amen" to my own condemnation.
At that moment God did not demand justice but showed me mercy. The scales
fell from my eyes and my soul was suddenly filled with light. That
powerful, awesome, all-consuming God was now not evident. There on that
throne dealing with me was my REAL Father. God was no longer a distant
God, but a real, genuine Father. The realization of his being my true
Father and my best friend came to me for the first time in my life. The
wonderful relationship I had enjoyed with my physical father and the
wonderful love we shared for each other was suddenly brought to mind yet
magnified a thousand fold. For now I was with my real Father, the one who
loved me so much that God left all of his creation to deal with me, the
prodigal son.
For the first time in my life, I saw in my mind's eye who God really is.
For the first time I met God as God truly is, my real Father, my very best
friend. As the realization of who God is flooded my soul, great and
painful sorrow also came. Sorrow came when I realized that through
disobedience I had hurt my Father. This realization and sorrow produced
actual pain which was not just a guilt feeling but actual pain similar to
what one would experience in the flesh when one sustains a physical
injury. At this point in time, God started dealing with me in sorrow and
no longer did the tone of his voice express pity. Instead, the sound was
of genuine sorrow. I suddenly realized that God was hurting too. God was
hurting because I was hurting. Being a true and just God as God is, God
had to allow me to suffer the pain and God could not lift it from me.
Although God had to allow me to suffer the pain, God would not allow me to
suffer it alone. God the most High, the most Supreme, the Creator of all,
the Father of all would not let me suffer alone.
By this time I suddenly realized that my physical life was not so
important after all. What I was really concerned about now was what my
Father wanted. His will had suddenly become the first thing of my life and
my physical life was no longer important. This is when God gave me back my
physical life. Only when I reached a place that my life did not mean
anything to me, did God give it back to me. Now that the prodigal son had
returned, the Father could talk at last. God could tell me what my trip to
heaven was all about and that God had a message God wanted me to tell
people on Earth. "I now repeat for you point by point the entire five
point message that God gave me to deliver to this world today.
Point number one: For those who call themselves Christians, this is
the Laodicean Church Age in which we live. A high majority of so-called
Christians are, in fact, living a deceived life. They talk Jesus and play
church, but do not live it. They claim to be Christians and then live like
the devil. They have bought the great lie from Satan who tells them that
they are alright. He tells them that it is alright to go to church on
Sunday and attend mid-week services but as far as the rest of the time is
concerned, they are to get all they can out of life. As far as their
Christian life is concerned, they believe they are comfortable and have
need of nothing and as a result, they are only lukewarm Christians if
Christians at all.
Point number two: Satan is a personal devil.
Point number three: To the whole world, this is Noah's second day.
As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the coming of
the son of man. Humans took no thought of what Noah was saying nor did
humans believe that anything was about to change. Humanity could see the
storm clouds over the horizon, but yet did not believe the rain was
imminent. Notice the close parallel today. Humanity can see all the signs
of the last days, yet humanity does not believe that anything will change.
He does not believe in the impending coming of our Lord and he does not
prepare to meet God.
Point number four: For those who claim to be Christians, they are
supposed to be ambassadors for Christ here on Earth. One cannot have any
true witness or power in his life unless that one lives his Christian
faith at all times, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. To be a
true Christian one must live it, not just talk it. To honor God with your
lips and not your heart is not acceptable. Those who accept the
responsibility of teaching, preaching, or any leadership role have much
for which to answer.
Point number five: God is now in the process of recruiting an army
with which God will shake this old world one more time. By working through
his soldiers, God will produce great miracles that will shake the
established hierarchy of the so-called organized religion that is in this
world today. These soldiers that God is now recruiting will demonstrate
the power of God to a greater extent than did the disciples in the
Pentecostal age. Now the recruitment has begun in earnest because God is
about to perform the great miracles through his army that God promised us
God would do in the Bible. John the Baptist brought the spirit of Elijah
into this world and he did not even know he had it. John denied it, but
Jesus confessed that it was so. The purpose of that spirit was to make
straight the paths of the coming of the Lord.
The following books by Howard Pittman share insights
given to him by God about the evil spirits, spiritual warfare, health and
more.
This site is sponsored by
European American Evangelistic Crusades;
it is not paid for, approved or endorsed by Howard Pittman.
|
