Randy Kay says he was dead for more than 30 minutes. But what he says he witnessed during those moments was not simply a glimpse of heaven—it was a spiritual battle.
During a recent appearance on Hang Out with Sean Hannity, Kay joined Colton Burpo and author and pastor John Burke for a sweeping conversation about near-death experiences, heaven, hell and the supernatural reality that exists beyond what the physical eye can see.
Kay’s testimony immediately brought the discussion into the realm of spiritual warfare.
In 2005, Kay was a successful biotech executive working grueling hours when multiple pulmonary embolisms brought his life to a sudden halt. Kay told Hannity he had seven embolisms and ultimately was declared dead for 30 minutes and 49 seconds.
As his physical life slipped away, Kay says he found himself looking down at his body before being pulled toward a light. But before describing his encounter with Jesus, Kay recounted something far more unsettling.
He says he saw enormous figures positioned on opposing sides of what appeared to be a supernatural battlefield. On one side were gallant, armored beings. On the other were distorted, almost reptilian-looking entities.
They were fighting.
“I believe very much, Sean, that they were warring over my soul,” Kay said.
Kay explained that he had entered the experience during a crisis of faith. Though he professed Christ, painful circumstances had caused doubts to resurface, leaving him wrestling with whether what he believed was truly real.
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Then, in the middle of the spiritual conflict, Kay cried out to Jesus.
Everything changed.
Kay said he was immediately pulled toward the light and found himself face-to-face with Christ.
“My first impression was, ‘So this is love,'” Kay told Hannity.
Kay said Jesus leaned toward him and spoke two words that would become a guiding message for his life: “Trust me.”
For Kay, the experience demolished any remaining uncertainty about eternity. He told Hannity that what he witnessed in heaven seemed even more real than the physical world around him.
“My experience in heaven was more real than my experience sitting with you now,” he said.
Kay also described a profound intimacy with Jesus that left him longing for heaven after returning to life.
“I miss Him, Sean,” Kay said. “I miss being with Him face to face in that way.”
Hannity, who repeatedly emphasized the importance of his Christian faith, appeared fascinated by the similarities between Kay’s testimony and those of the other guests.
Burpo, whose childhood story inspired the bestselling book and film Heaven Is for Real, described leaving his body during emergency surgery as a young child and encountering Jesus, angels and family members he says he had never known existed.
Burke, who says he has spent roughly four decades investigating near-death experiences, discussed the striking similarities he has discovered among accounts.
Yet Kay’s story carries an especially sobering message for believers.
Scripture warns that the Christian battle is not ultimately against flesh and blood. Kay believes he was permitted to see that spiritual reality firsthand—and what he says he witnessed convinced him that prayer, spiritual warfare and the name of Jesus are far more consequential than many realize.
Death, as Kay’s testimony shows, did not reveal an empty void.
It revealed a battle—and the One who had already won it.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].