Marlon (“Marty”) Breeden, a Virginia resident, and Police Officer, tells his amazing testimony of being transported into the Lord’s presence during a near-death experience and receiving an urgent message for the Church.

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At one time, as a young man of 17, I had given my heart to the Lord with great passion. As in many cases, though, I got busy with life, as a husband, a father of two girls, and a Police Officer. In 2015, at 51 years of age, those years of experiencing the zeal of the Lord seemed far away. I had no idea how the Lord was about to sternly, yet lovingly, bring me back to Himself.

On July 17, 2015, as a result of my going into acute respiratory failure, I went “Code Blue.” I would go “Code Blue” yet again within 48 hours. When I “coded” the first time, I immediately left my body, and I found myself standing in what I sensed was the Presence of the Lord. Thinking back now, there were a million things He could have said to me, and what He did say, I was certainly not expecting. With an imminence and urgency beyond description, He said, “MY CHURCH DOES NOT REALLY BELIEVE THAT I’M COMING BACK SOON!” He repeated this two more times as I stood there in stunned silence. Each time, it was with more volume and more passion. I finally said, waving my hands like a school child to get His attention, “Lord, yes we do believe you’re coming back soon. We sing about it, pray about it, study about it; yes, Lord, we do believe that you’re coming back soon!” He then said, “MY Church does not really believe I’m coming back soon, for if they did, they would not be living as they are!”

Then I listened as the timbre of His voice changed. He said, “I AM coming back soon, and my Church is not ready… Now, go back and tell the things that you have heard, and know that your message will not be received!”

I was in the CCU for three weeks, the majority of that on a respirator with a tracheotomy. I survived and would go to the University of Virginia Transitional Care Facility to learn how to walk, talk, and swallow again. It was there that I had a second encounter with the Lord on August 14, 2015. In a night vision, He spoke to me these words: “My church should be living as though this is the Two-minute Warning!” Being a huge football fan, I knew exactly what He was saying: That we should be working with absolute purpose and passion, because in that Two-minute Warning, those last 120 seconds can determine victory or defeat. It’s an all-out rush to do all you can to win the game, to put up a strong offense, and – if you’re winning – to keep the opposition from gaining ground or scoring points.

As the Apostle Paul said, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” Those encounters changed my life, and as I lovingly warn the Church, I see this message changing the hearts of others as well. I now go to the highways and byways and compel men to come in. I often pray that in the time I have remaining I will live a life that will make sense in the light of eternity. With all that is within me, I know He is coming, and I believe His blessed return to be nearer than most would believe. Get your houses in order; ask the Holy spirit for guidance and leading as to what you are supposed to be doing in this late, late hour. Surely our “redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28 KJV).

• To watch Marty share his full testimony, go to the YouTube video HERE.