By the time you read this, Easter will have passed–but what took place on that first Easter is the reason we can know heaven exists.

Think about it a moment. How could we ever know–really know–that there was life beyond the grave? The only way we could be sure would be if someone actually died and entered eternity–and then came back to life on this earth and told us about it. Otherwise we’d only be guessing whether or not heaven was real–and your guess would be as good as mine.

And this is what happened with Jesus! On the cross, Jesus really died; He didn’t just faint from loss of blood or pretend He was dead. The hardened Roman soldiers overseeing His crucifixion saw men die almost every day, and when they took Jesus’ body down from the cross they knew beyond doubt that He was dead. So did those who took His body, wrapped it for burial according to the custom of the day, and then placed it in the tomb.

But He didn’t stay there! On the third day after His death He came back to life–and not in the same form He once had, but in a new and glorified body that would live forever. By His resurrection Jesus Christ–who was God in human flesh–conquered death and Hell and Satan. Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. … I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Put your faith and trust in Him today, and you too can know that heaven is real, and someday you’ll go there.