Review at a Glance
18 Days in Heaven is an emotionally engaging Christian testimony centered on Jesus, prayer, healing, and eternity. It is best approached as a personal account rather than a source of new doctrine. Readers should appreciate its spiritual encouragement while evaluating its claims in light of Scripture.
How I Discovered the Book
I rarely review books, but my introduction to this one was unusual. At a weekly Christian Business Leaders meeting, Tessa, the wife of a business acquaintance, suggested that the book might help me with my writing.
Frankly, when the meeting ended, I quickly forgot the content of the discussion and the book.
The following week, her husband, Ross, handed me the book along with a card from Tessa. Still wondering why they had given me the book; I put it in my office with the stack of books I intended to read.
A few days later, something drew me to it. At the time, we were moving into a new home and hadn’t set up cable or streaming services. Because I was bored and suspected I would be asked about the book, I began reading.
I was fascinated. I finished the book in three hours. After reading 18 Days in Heaven, I felt compelled to share the incredible impact it’s had on me.
Why I like 18 Days in Heaven
I’ve been skeptical of near-death experiences (NDEs) primarily because when I first began reading them, they were rarely consistent. In addition, some accounts have been debunked.
I have no basis for endorsing or disproving Gabe’s account. However, what I liked about the account was that Gabe supported his experience with Scripture. For example, the book includes an impassioned plea to believe you don’t have to struggle or fight for God’s attention. This is supported by Romans 8:31 (NLT) “. . . If God is for us, who can be against us.” The book is filled with claims like this about God’s character and purpose accompanied by Scripture.
He also provided MRI images of his swollen brain, and on YouTube: He “Met Jesus In Heaven” During An 18 Day Coma.. included the testimony of a friend who prayed for him. These materials support the claim that his coma was real and his recovery miraculous.
His account also speaks to the power of prayer. Biblical prayer is the effective result of linking our will to the will of the Father so that our prayers and His power make a positive difference in this world. God of course doesn’t depend on our prayers but includes us into the work He is doing through our prayers and obedient actions.
It’s Gabe’s experience. But his experience is not what’s important. What’s important is the encouragement he brings to those of us who believe in Jesus and, even more important, the message he offers to those who don’t yet know Jesus.
Who Should Read 18 Days in Heaven?
You should read this book if you:
- struggle with whether or not God loves you and cares for you
- wonder if you matter or have a purpose
- feel abandoned by God or wonder if you’ve somehow severed the relationship
- feel the weight of shame or guilt
- grieve over a child who died
- want to know what Heaven may be like
- seek to know how God defines your identity
- desire to live a courageous life in Christ
- are skeptical but willing to engage with a Christian testimony.
You may not enjoy the book if you:
- prefer strictly academic theology
- are skeptical of supernatural testimony
- are uncomfortable with charismatic language
- want a detailed biblical theology of Heaven rather than a personal account.
What is 18 Days in Heaven About?
I won’t go into detail about the contents of the book. I’d rather encourage you to read the book than reproduce its contents here.
It recounts how Gabe suffered a severe head injury at twenty. He spent 18 days in the hospital in a coma. According to his testimony, while his body was healing, his true self, meaning his spirit and soul, were in Heaven.
While in Heaven, Gabe describes a personal encounter with Jesus. Through this encounter, Jesus provided Gabe with answers to many of the questions people have today. These questions include the nature of evil, God’s purpose for creating humanity, what Heaven is like and other spiritual concerns.
The book also describes the prayers and intercession offered by his family, friends, and others made on Gabe’s behalf.
The author candidly describes his former life and acknowledges that the experience was an act of grace rather than something he had earned. The book also maintains the indescribable experience Heaven provides awaits all of us who place our trust in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
The book’s description of Heaven resembles other accounts I’ve read while also adding distinctive details. For example, a common observation is that colors in Heaven are far more vivid than on earth. What Gabe’s account provides is the worship and connection God’s creation has with Him. He describes how worship reverberates throughout Heaven, proclaimed not just by Heaven’s inhabitants but by the creation and substance of Heaven as well. In the account, Heaven is described as more than a place or destination it’s a realm defined by and through Jesus.
The book discusses the role of prayer and how it affects events in our lives and in this world. The prayers of Gabe’s friends and family united with God’s will to send Gabe back. He returned to his body after 18 days in a coma.
His family was told he would have significant brain damage. He didn’t. The severe outcomes predicted on the basis of his injuries did not occur. According to the book, his healing was a miracle.
Gabe describes himself as profoundly changed and dedicated to sharing the gospel with as many people as possible.
What I Appreciated About the Book
- It encourages readers to think seriously about eternity
- It emphasizes the reality and love of Jesus
- It inspires hope during suffering
- It encourages a sincere consideration of God’s gift of salvation
- It is emotionally engaging
- It is easy to read
- It connects many of its themes and claims with Scripture
- The author appears sincere and vulnerable
- It encourages prayer, worship, forgiveness, and compassion
One of the strongest aspects of the book is the passionate demonstration of our personal relationship with Jesus and His personal relationship with us. I appreciated the book’s description of everything in Heaven being an extension of Jesus and singing about His worthiness. The author’s account challenged me to think more deeply about how much Jesus is interceding on our behalf and speaking words of purpose over our lives, especially when we are going our own way.
Who Is Gabe Poirot?
Gabe Poirot is described in the book as a YouTuber, speaker, author, and evangelist. His mission is to share the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ with the next generation. As of the publish date, he is in his early twenties. He married in 2023, and he and his wife welcomed a child in the fall of 2025.
Final Thoughts
18 Days in Heaven is an account that can encourage and inspire readers. The account frequently references supporting Scripture and seeks to expand our understanding of the depth of God’s love for us and gives us confidence that God is with us and for us. Whether or not readers accept every detail of Gabe Poirot’s testimony, the book provides important insights about the person and purpose of our Lord Jesus.
Ultimately, the book is best read as a testimony and spiritual wake-up call, not as a new revelation of truth. Its claims should be tested by Scripture, and its greatest value lies in the ways it directs readers toward faith in Christ.
God’s primary and authoritative message to us is found in His Word. God may also use extraordinary experiences to awaken, encourage, or warn people. I agree with the book’s assertion that we are getting closer to the end times and we will continue to see signs, wonders and miracles (Hebrews 2:4).
Have you read 18 Days in Heaven? Which parts did you find encouraging, convincing, or difficult to accept? How do you believe Christians should evaluate modern testimonies about heaven?
Book Information
- Title: 18 Days in Heaven
- Author: Gabe Poirot
- Publisher: Harrison House Publishers
- Publication date: 2026
- Genre: Christian testimony; near-death experience; inspirational non-fiction
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from a friend. Based on my read, I felt compelled to comment. The opinions expressed here are my own.