In December 1982 Ricky Randolph was a Department of Corrections Officer in Georgia. He was ordained as a Baptist minister at the age of 17. What started out as a hunting trip ended up as a nightmare when Ricky Randolph fell down a mountainside, badly injuring himself. The accident brought him before His Maker, changing his attitude to life and death completely. After his experience, he found that he could now play musical instruments that he had never played before. He formed a gospel group called “The Master’s Touch” which travelled the South. The songs he wrote seemed to just “come” to him. He now has only one goal and purpose which is to help and reach as many people as he can in the time he has been given. This is his story.
I was looking forward to this morning, as I had planned a hunting trip on the ninety-eight acre farm, bordering the Chattahoochee River, where my family and I lived. I gathered my gear, trying to start as early as I could. My wife had already left for work. I usually telephoned her when I was going hunting but, being in a hurry, I didn’t.
I had about a two mile hike to my hunting stand in the trees, and arrived there around 10:15 a.m. My stand was about 20 feet high with the front side facing a thick patch of pines. The rear of my stand overlooked the river below and dropped down to huge boulders in the river below. I tied up my rifle ready to be pulled up after my climb to the top, and began my upward ascent. I reached the top and positioned myself to pull my rifle up. Then without warning I heard a snap! I would later return to this site many times to reflect on my life. On one visit with a friend I measured the distance from the top of the stand down to the boulder I landed on – the distance was eighty feet!
As I began my fall to the river below I could see the river coming up fast. I knew this was the end for me and, though it was just seconds before impact, it was as though I was falling in slow motion!
So many thoughts raced through my mind. My wife, my daughter, my family, and nobody knew where I was! Would I ever be found? Then, darkness descended! I do not know how long this darkness lasted.
Then something wonderful happened! I felt myself leaving my body! I was floating a few feet in the air above the river! I looked on my body with mixed feelings. I was bleeding from my mouth, my nose, and my ears, and saw a trickle of blood underneath me on the boulder. As I was reflecting on the state of my body, I felt a pulling sensation, and began to rise very fast! I was travelling very fast up through the atmosphere!
As I left the atmosphere, I looked back and could see the Earth! It was such a beautiful sight! It was so brilliantly lit! As I looked ahead I could see the planets! I thought to myself this cannot be! Where is Jesus? I was never told anything like this could or would happen when I died! The speed increased faster and faster! I saw other star systems and galaxies as I raced onward! I entered what seemed to be a long, dark hole of some sort.
However around me I saw streaks of light made up of every colour in the spectrum! I saw a faint light growing brighter and brighter in the distance up ahead. As I entered the light I felt it all through my being. I was not afraid anymore!
Then all of a sudden I was standing before a massive set of steps! They led up to what seemed to be a bridge of some kind. In the distance I saw a magnificent and astounding sight, a city made up of what seemed to be glass or crystal!
The lights were of many colours that radiated from the city. Never have I ever seen such a sight! I began walking toward the city in a daze of unbelief! So many questions raced through my mind. I had to know where I was. What was happening to me? I reached the front of the city and saw a double door that seemed to be about thirty feet or so in height and width! It shined as if it was polished! As I stood there wandering, the doors began to open. I took a step back and looked inside. I could see what appeared to be people walking about on the inside, much like they do in a shopping mall here on Earth. These people though were dressed very differently!
For one thing, they all seemed to be dressed in some sort of robes with hoods! I entered through the doors in amazement at what I was seeing! The inside was massive! It seemed to be square in shape, with a balcony all around that led down to different levels! I walked up and looked downward over the balcony. It seemed to go on forever!
As I looked up I saw many people passing by me, yet no one seemed to notice me! Then as one was approaching me he suddenly stopped! He slowly raised his head and I could see his face! His hair was snow white! I wanted to speak, but before I could do so, he turned and pointed to a long hallway! Though we never spoke I knew I was expected to go down to this hallway. Then, as if nothing had happened, he continued on. I knew I had to as well.
Something beckoned me forward. I walked a long walk down to the end of this hallway. I did not turn to the right or the left. I knew somehow that my questions were about to be answered! Again I saw before me a massive double door. It seemed to be of some type of metal – I could not tell if it was made of gold or not.
Suddenly the doors opened! I heard a voice, though not an audible voice, but from inside of me. It seemed, to say, “Enter!” I did as I was told and the doors shut suddenly behind me! I was afraid for the first time! Total darkness! Total silence!
Then, after a length of time that I could not determine, a bright light began to glow in the room! Brighter and brighter it became! It was somewhat above me and in front of me. I tried to look but was almost blinded by it! I held my hands up in front of me and could make out the appearance of a Figure sitting on some type of seat!
Then, without warning, a voice asked, “What have you done with your life?” The voice penetrated my very being! I had no answer!
Then to my right I saw what seemed to be like a movie, and I was in it! I saw my mother giving birth to me, then I saw my childhood and friends! I saw everything from my youth up! Before my eyes I saw everything I had ever done!
As my life played out before my very eyes I tried to think of good things I had done. I was raised in church and had been very active in church functions, yet as I pondered on this, I saw a man in his car that had ran out of gas. I had stopped and given him a lift to a local store about a year ago. I had bought him some gas as he had no money and helped him get on his way! I thought to my self, why am I seeing this? The voice was loud and clear. “You did not hesitate to help this soul, and asked nothing in return! These actions are the essence of good!”
I saw all the people I had hurt as well, and was shown how my actions had set in motion the actions of others! I was stunned! I had never thought of my life having an effect on the actions of my friends, family, and others I had met. I saw the results of all I had done, and I was not pleased at all!
I looked on until the events came to an end. Indeed I had done so little with my life! I had been selfish and cruel in so many ways! I was truly sorry I had done so little. Then again loud and clear I heard the voice speak again, “You must return!”
I did not want to return. I was quite content to stay, and longed to stay even after the things I had seen and heard. “I have so many questions,” I replied, “Things I need to know and do not understand.”
“You must return and help others to change by changing your life! Doctors will want to perform surgery on you. Do not let this happen! If you do you will never walk again! Someone will visit you, and bring you answers to the questions you have. When I call you will come again! You will recover from all that has happened if you do these things. Look and see what lies ahead!”
I turned and saw the Earth in turmoil! Wars, death, and terrible sights! Cities fell, and new ones were built! I saw the United States, and a volcano exploding, covering many cities in darkness! I looked on and saw the collapse of our government as we know it. I saw people killing for food and water, horrible sights! I saw what seemed to be a giant explosion in the Earth’s atmosphere, and much land was destroyed!
I looked on and saw a new type of people, younger and of a peaceful nature. Only a few cities were left, but these people seemed to be content. “It is time for you to go,” I heard again! But I wanted to see more!
Then the doors opened and I felt myself almost carried down the hallway. I passed through the doors of the city and felt myself shooting back to Earth through this tunnel I had come through! Faster I went, unable to stop! I entered the atmosphere of Earth, and saw the river below. I saw my body still lying there motionless!
I experienced an electric shock so tremendous I felt my body jump! I opened my eyes and saw the trees above me, and the skyline. Then, Oh God, the pain! I was struggling for every breath, choking on my own blood!
I managed to roll onto my stomach. The pain was as much as I could bear! I looked at the sky and saw the sun was lower than I remembered. I looked at my watch. It was 5:30 in the afternoon! My only thoughts were about how I could get help. I noticed my rifle was not far from me, still attached to the rope I had tied around my waist. I began pulling it toward me. I managed to grab hold of the barrel and pulled it up to me. I fired a shot about every ten minutes hoping someone would come.
It was getting late, and I knew I would not survive much longer, so I began crawling on my stomach, pulling myself along with the stock of my rifle. I managed to crawl up a trail that ran down to the river. As I crawled through thick brush and briar patches, the pain was so great I passed out many times. I wanted to give up because I was so tired, and in so much pain. I knew I had to make it at least to somewhere that I could be found, or so I hoped! I looked out in front of me and saw the road I lived on through the trees. I could hear sounds in the distance!
“Yes, thank you God,” I thought to myself! I finally found myself at the road and began a feeble cry for help. I was too exhausted though, and just lay there in the road. My father-in-law was returning from work and found me lying in the road. “It’s all right,” I heard him say. “Help is on the way.”
That was the last I remembered until I saw the lights inside the hospital Emergency Room. A doctor stood by my feet, asking “Can you feel this?” “Feel what?” I asked. He had been examining my feet and legs with a sharp instrument. I was paralysed! He said, “We are sending you by ambulance to a hospital that can handle your injuries.”
Whether because of the pain or the medication, I was out like a light. The next afternoon I awoke to find two doctors standing at the foot of my hospital bed. They introduced themselves and explained to me that I must undergo surgery at once. Some bones in my back were broken, and they were putting pressure on my spinal nerves, causing paralysis. Then I heard the warning I had heard before!
“Do not let them perform surgery, or you will never walk again!” I understood completely, but knew they would not. I told them I must see my wife and daughter first! My wife arrived with my daughter shortly after the doctor’s visit. I told her what they had said. She advised me that I must realise they were only doing what was necessary to help me! I did not know how to tell her what I had experienced! I tried to tell her it was my belief that I should not be operated on. Although she disagreed, she honoured my wishes. When the doctors returned and I told them of my decision, they were very concerned. I listened to lecture after lecture!
That night I lay upon my bed and wept sorely. Was I insane? What was I doing? A light began to fill my room. “You will be well,” I heard a voice say. Then it was gone! I composed myself and dozed off to sleep. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.
Then one morning I felt a tingling in my feet! I was overcome with joy! I told the nurse I wanted to get up and walk! I knew I was healed without a doubt!
A few hours later I was taken down to the Physical Therapy room. They carried me down and raised me up to a vertical position. The nurse helped me to stand in front of a set of parallel bars. I gripped the bars and placed my feet firmly on the floor. One step! Two steps!
“My God, he’s walking!” the nurses said to each other. The next few days were hard. I took many trips to Physical Therapy, and had numerous x-rays done. My wife and family were all amazed, yet I knew! I had been told! The rest had to be true as well!
My doctor was more amazed when he found no bones pressing on my spinal nerve! He said, “This is not normal! It seems that a higher power has done for you what we were going to try and correct with surgery! I have never seen anything like this before!”
Since that day, my life has changed, and I have been able to help others in ways I never dreamed. I wanted to share this with everyone, as it is what has led me onward in my quest for Truth!
The story of Ricky Randolph may be found on the following Internet site: [email protected]/randolph.html
The true story of Ricky Randolph included, with kind permission, in the free e-book BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER which includes 27 similar true stories, and may be freely read and downloaded from this web site.