Because I live, you also will live.
—John 14:19
Jesus’ victory over death was “Game won.” Death tried to stop him but couldn’t. “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades (the power of death) will not be able to defeat it” (Mt 16:18).
The function of gates is to keep something out or to keep something in. The purpose of the gates of Hades—the gates of death—was to keep people in the grave. But they couldn’t keep Jesus in. He had the key to the gate: “I hold the keys to death and to the place of the dead,” he said (Rv 1:18).
Many places are restricted: you aren’t allowed to enter unless you have a reservation, a membership, or a ticket. By his death, Jesus made your reservation, paid your admission, and punched your ticket to heaven.
You have Top Tier kingdom membership.