The new science fiction movie, Elysium, depicts a futuristic dystopian society where Earth is overpopulated by the diseased and impoverished masses, while the wealthy and well-to-do live on an expansive space colony known as Elysium. The government of Elysium prevents those who live on Earth from immigrating and becoming citizens of Elysium. Those who try to do so are killed by the government of Elysium.

The word “elysium” is a reference to the Greek idea of Paradise. The Greek philosophers and writers believed that Elysium, or the mythical Elysian Fields, was a beautiful, peaceful eternal destination reserved for the righteous and those favored by the gods. It was a place of peace — a lush, green paradise where those who had lived well could enjoy the afterlife.

In the film Elysium, Max is an ex-convict trying to survive in a dilapidated, run-down Los Angeles. He is friends with a woman who has a daughter named Matilda. Matilda is dying from Leukemia. At the factory where Max works, he is exposed to dangerous levels of radiation and is informed that he has only five days to live. Knowing that he can be cured in one of the advanced medical treatment centers on Elysium, he determines to find a way to get to the space colony to find healing for himself and Matilda. He connects with a smuggler named Spider, and they both begin to plot a way for all of those on Earth to become citizens of Elysium.

Max’s desperate attempt to gain healing on Elysium is reminiscent of man’s search for escape from the desperate, down-trodden conditions of Earth. Like the Earth depicted in the film, our world is broken, filled with masses of people who are sick, physically and spiritually. We are people who long for Heaven.

Like the Elysium depicted in the film, Heaven is the perfect place where all of our wounds can heal, our sins can be washed away, our pain can dissipate, and our tears will be wiped away forever. The Bible says in Isaiah 33:24 that the “inhabitant (of Heaven) shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven of their sins.”

Unlike the rulers of Elysium, however, God is not trying to prevent us from getting to Heaven. He wants us to be there. He wants us to be there so desperately that he made a great sacrifice to make the door to Heaven wide-open for each and every one of us. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (in Heaven).” Heaven is not just for the wealthy, the well-to-do, or for those who have lived a “good” life. Heaven is for everybody who believes in Jesus Christ.

This invitation to Heaven was given by Jesus Christ. He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

In the end of the Elysium film, Max dies after he has activated the program that will make all of those on Earth citizens of Elysium. As he fades from life, Matilda is cured of Leukemia and the advanced medical treatments centers are flown out to Earth to heal the sick and injured.

In the same way, it is by Jesus’ death and resurrection that we become citizens of Heaven. If we want to escape this earth and the eternal punishment for our sins that awaits us beyond our death, we must place our faith and trust in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and allow him to come and live inside of us. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you accept Jesus Christ into your heart, you will begin a relationship with God that will last for eternity and you will become a citizen of Heaven. If you want to begin this relationship right now, you can pray a short prayer to let God know that you have decided to trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour so that you can spend eternity in Heaven with him. Please repeat after me and mean it from your heart.

Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today and forever. Amen.

If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Believe by faith. Share the faith. And keep the faith! God Bless You!