“For We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”: 5 Real Encounters with Jesus After Near-Death Experiences

We don’t often talk about death. It's a topic most of us avoid. But the truth is, our time here is limited, and we all wonder: what comes next?

The Bible speaks clearly on this. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” But what do we know about the moments after death? Could someone have already caught a glimpse of what lies beyond?

Recent studies suggest that about 10% of people have had a near-death experience (NDE). Some of these experiences are deeply profound, with individuals reporting encounters with Jesus Himself. Here are five stories that might make you think more about eternity.

A Child's Encounter with Jesus

Zola Tomic was just six years old when she had her tonsils removed. The surgery should have been routine, but a rare genetic condition caused her to bleed heavily for days. Zola’s heart stopped during this time, and she experienced something extraordinary.

After recovering, Zola surprised her mother by asking, “When can I see God again?”

Her mother, Brittani, hadn’t been discussing anything spiritual at the time. She was helping Zola get ready for gymnastics. So, she asked her, “When did you see God?”

Zola’s answer was stunning: “The night I died.”

Zola described being in the presence of Jesus, who thanked her for loving Him and being His friend. She recalled receiving a big hug from God and seeing everything bathed in colors like a rainbow.

Can you imagine such a moment? It’s a reminder of what Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me…for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Meeting Jesus in a Time of Crisis

Mike McKinsey, a man from Georgia, faced a life-threatening situation when his appendix ruptured just before his son’s wedding. During surgery, Mike’s heart stopped, and he found himself standing before Jesus.

Mike was surprised that Jesus didn’t look like the depictions he had seen growing up. Jesus had dark skin and blue-green eyes, but there was no mistaking who He was. Jesus reached out His hand and said, “I want to answer your prayer.”

Mike was confused, trying to piece together what was happening. Then it hit him: he was dead. Yet, it was not his time, and the doctors were able to revive him. Mike’s encounter is a powerful reminder of Christ’s promise in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

Overwhelmed by Love

Randy Kay, an author, also had a life-changing experience when he died. He recalls being overwhelmed by a sense of love he had never felt.

At one point during his NDE, Randy called out to Jesus. Immediately, he found himself next to a figure he knew was Christ. Randy was overcome with emotion, exclaiming, “So, this is love?”

Jesus wrapped His arms around Randy, filling him with a love that words cannot describe. But then Jesus told him something that brought sorrow—he had to return to the world. Randy’s story echoes the words of 1 John 4:16, “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

A Muslim Sheik’s Son Encounters Christ

Meeting Jesus is not just a Western experience. Swidiq, the son of a Muslim sheik in Rwanda, had an astonishing encounter with Jesus after he died.

During his NDE, Swidiq found himself in a dark, terrifying place. But then, a man of light appeared, bright as the sun. The man revealed His hands, showing the marks of the nails, and said, “I died for mankind. And you are among those I died for. Do not deny it again. You must tell others.”

This encounter transformed Swidiq’s life, reminding us of Jesus' words in John 10:16, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.”

A Jewish Girl Meets Jesus

Heidi, a 16-year-old girl from a Jewish background, had been told all her life that God did not exist and that Jesus was a hoax. But in a near-death experience, she met Jesus face to face.

Heidi had always felt God’s presence, even though her atheist father dismissed her beliefs. When she was involved in a severe accident, she found herself looking down at her body. A brilliant light shone behind her, and she turned to see a man she instantly recognized as Jesus.

Heidi realized this was the same Jesus who had been with her through every hardship. Her joy was indescribable as she stood in His presence, confirming the truth of Revelation 1:18, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!”

The Reality of Hell

While many NDEs are filled with light and love, not all are. Journalist Sebastian Junger had a terrifying experience when he died. He described a black pit opening beneath him, pulling him toward it.

Sebastian’s story is a sobering reminder of the reality of hell, as described in Matthew 25:41, “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”

Choose Your Path

These stories show us that our choices matter. The Bible clearly states in Romans 14:12, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

Where will you spend eternity? The time to decide is now.