Robby Dawkins claims he raised a man from the dead in England—and it changed his life. Dawkins, author of Do What Jesus Did: A Real-Life Field Guide to Healing the Sick, Routing Demons and Changing Lives Forever, now has faith to do it again.
The question is, what is stopping you from raising someone from the dead? The Bible clearly states: “These signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-18).
You may have noticed that this verse doesn't quite cover raising the dead. That's OK, because Jesus also said, “As you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:7-8).
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These are outtakes from in interview with Dawkins, pastor of Vineyard Church in Aurora, Illinois, about what was going through his head while Matt Catlow lay dying on the church floor—and what he learned from the experience that could build your faith to raise the dead.
What was the reaction from the congregation to this event?
Dawkins: Some people left and didn't return. Others were a bit panicked but there (were) no hysterics other than the mother. Most were behaving like proper English people and just observing and being proper.
What were the immediate thoughts that ran through your mind?
Dawkins: “Oh crap! He died while I was preaching.” Then anger at Satan for killing him.
You started binding the spirit of infirmity, and things got worse. Did that hinder your faith? What was going on in your soul and spirit during this moment?
Dawkins: I felt peace yet very disturbed that this was happening this way. I felt violated. I felt like Matt was being violated. It made me furious.
Was it just an automatic reaction to start binding the spirit of death?
Dawkins: I have broken it off others many times, but I never saw it fully kill someone. I knew the whole time what was going on. After it happened, I had to process it. The doctor approached me and verified he had died and was raised. It helped me grasp it fully.
Before this, had you ever seen anyone raised from the dead or what was your paradigm for this type of miracle?
Dawkins: I had only seen a video of someone raised from the dead. Yes, it shifted a lot of things for me. My friend Marc James, an English Worship recording artist, texted me, “Try sleeping after raising the dead, Dude!” He was right. It took some time.
My faith for sure took a leap forward. I kept hearing in my head, “You can't do this! Stop or people will accuse you of his death!” I knew all of this to be the lies of the enemy. I have heard them all before. It's Satan's fear he feels about us destroying his kingdom. He launches those thoughts and feelings at us as fiery darts. I feel affirmed by them knowing that the feelings of fear I feel are his feelings about me doing what Jesus did. He should be afraid.
How has this event changed the way you think?
Dawkins: We can kick death's butt! I want to equip everyone to do this stuff. I saw that many times while praying for others to be raised that perseverance is powerful.
What do you want other believers to take away from this miracle? What should we learn?
Dawkins: Pray for the dead to be raised every time. Thinking you have to have a word to raise the dead, heal the sick, or even give a prophetic word is slavery mentality. Live like heirs and more than conquerors, not slaves. Don't trust your feelings, they can lie to you. Trust what Jesus says about you in His Word instead.
Anything else you want to share?
Dawkins: There was a lot of opposition afterwards. Remember the religious leaders—I believe the spirit of religion and spirit of death are the same spirit—(they) wanted to kill Lazarus after He was raised from the dead in order to stop the power of the testimony.
