‘I Died & Reunited with My Brother in Heaven’—A Near Death Experience that Changed Everything

“For by grace you have been saved through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

Ken was an air traffic controller who nearly died of the H1N1 flu. As his comatose body was on the brink of death, his sister cried out to God to bring him back with a powerful testimony. God answered her prayer. Ken got a glimpse of heaven and came back with a powerful message that will bless each of us. Ken and his wife Hatsy have been blessed and they love to share the love of God with people everywhere they go! - Julie

I am Ken Johnson. I was saved when I was about 12 years old.

Although I’ve always been a Christian, I wasn’t deeply involved in religious activities due to my shift work as an air traffic controller. My wife took our sons to church regularly, but I often couldn’t attend. Despite reading parts of the Bible, my knowledge was more academic than heartfelt.

In the mid-70s, during my service in the Army, we were mandated to take a flu vaccine. Unfortunately, the vaccine contained a live virus, and I became extremely ill. This incident was documented in my permanent record as an allergy to the flu vaccine, which was not the case. Years later, at 58, I fell seriously ill again. It began with a sore throat on a Tuesday, and by the following Tuesday, my wife had to call 911. I was admitted to the hospital and placed directly into the ICU.

My condition was severe; I had H1N1, which progressed to pneumonia and then to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). With only a 5 percent survival rate for ARDS, I faced a dire situation. I was hospitalized for a total of 84 days and spent an additional 42 days in a rehab unit. When I finally returned home, I was very weak, having lost 80 pounds and was only able to walk a few steps with a walker.

During my hospital stay, I experienced numerous complications. I was put on a ventilator and feeding tube, developed deep vein thrombosis, and had a severe reaction to heparin called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, leading to a low platelet blood count. These complications brought me close to death multiple times.

At one point, my condition was so critical that my family was called in, being told the next 48 hours were crucial. My brother in Tennessee and my sister in Georgia both felt my presence with them simultaneously. When my sister sensed the grim nature of my condition, she began to cry out to God. She asked God to send me back with a powerful testimony to share with others. This reinforced my belief in the reality of what I experienced during my illness.

In one of the darkest moments, I had a profound near-death experience. I found myself in a dark place with a single red flower on the ground, which I was told I had to decide if I would eat or not eat. The voice said it was sweet as honey but bitter in your stomach.

Following this, I was in a beautiful place filled with flowers of indescribable colors, with a huge tree in front of me and a radiant white light emanating overwhelming love and peace. It was a feeling of love that was powerful it would make you cry. A voice, which I believe was God, conveyed a message of love and reassurance. Without words, He communicated clearly to me, “I love you more than you will ever, ever know and I have you in my right hand.”

My deceased brother, Ricky, appeared to me, looking much younger and wearing a white t-shirt, and told me I had to return. Although I wanted to stay in that beautiful place, I was reassured that I would be okay upon returning.

When I woke up from the coma, I was strapped to the bed to prevent me from removing the ventilator. This period was incredibly emotional, as I couldn't move or speak, and I often cried. However, a sense of peace assured me I would recover. My wife read to me from a devotional book, Jesus Calling, which provided daily encouragement.

Five years later, I have about 50.6 percent lung capacity and can only walk for short periods. Despite these physical limitations, my experience has profoundly changed me. Before my illness, I rarely shared my faith, but now, I feel compelled to tell my story.

During a visit to my mother in Knoxville, Tennessee, I experienced a moment of divine timing. My mother, who was 88 years old at the time, had been worried about me since I had been very sick and living far away. The pulmonologist arranged for me to travel with a portable oxygen tank so I could visit her. This trip was also an opportunity to mend the strained relationship with my brother, with whom I hadn't spoken in two and a half years. Before the trip, I texted my brother to let him know I was coming to see our mom and to express my desire to reconcile and catch up. However, I didn't receive any response from him. Despite this, my wife and I set off for Knoxville, arriving on a Thursday afternoon.

Once there, my mother suggested we go out for dinner early, as she usually preferred. As we were discussing where to go, I suddenly felt a strong, almost urgent prompting to go to Cracker Barrel. It was an unusual and insistent feeling, one that I couldn't ignore. I suggested Cracker Barrel to my mom, and she agreed enthusiastically.

We drove to Cracker Barrel, and as we arrived, my wife opened the door to the restaurant’s vestibule. At that exact moment, my estranged brother was opening the inner door. Our eyes met in surprise. He was supposed to be at work, but he had stopped by Cracker Barrel to get some chicken soup for his wife, who was unwell. The timing of our meeting felt too precise to be a coincidence.

It became clear to me that God had orchestrated this encounter. My mother, witnessing the unexpected reunion, looked at me and said, “God did that.” We hugged, talked, and cried, sharing a deeply emotional moment. Although our relationship isn't as close as I'd like it to be, we began to communicate again after that meeting. This encounter was a profound reminder of God's presence and His ability to bring people together in the most unexpected ways.

My minister and my brother helped me find biblical references to my experiences, particularly in Revelation 10 and Ezekiel 3, which described similar visions. Both passages speak of a scroll from an angel that is sweet like honey in your mouth and bitter in your stomach. I believe this flower I saw in heaven represents the Gospel of Jesus. I had never read this in the Bible. This validation strengthened my faith and affirmed the reality of my near-death experience.

Through all these experiences, I’ve learned to live each day with gratitude and purpose, spreading kindness and sharing my story to inspire others. I continue to see God’s hand in my life, even in everyday interactions, such as a phone conversation where I unknowingly prevented someone from taking their life.

Ultimately, my journey has reaffirmed my belief in God’s love and presence. Even with ongoing health challenges, I trust in His plan and strive to be a testimony of His grace and mercy.

Further Reflection

Ken Johnson's story reveals the power of faith and the presence of God during our darkest times. Facing life-threatening illness, Ken experienced profound moments that strengthened his belief in God's love and purpose. Reflect on how, even in our struggles, we can find God's guiding hand and reassurance. Consider how you can deepen your relationship with God and trust in His plans, especially when faced with adversity.

Imagine yourself in a situation where you need God's guidance and love. How can you open your heart to feel His presence and listen to His voice? Reflect on the times when you felt alone and how, through faith, you can find strength and comfort in God's promises.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your unwavering presence and love, even in our most challenging times. Help us to trust in Your plans and to find comfort in Your guiding hand. Give us the strength to face our struggles with faith and the courage to share our stories to inspire others. May we always remember that Your love is greater than we can ever comprehend and that You hold us in Your right hand. Guide us each day to live with gratitude and purpose, spreading kindness and sharing Your message of hope. We thank You for Your grace and mercy, and we pray that we may always feel Your presence in our lives.

Amen.