Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell is a book by Swedish Christian mystic Emanuel Swedenborg, first published in 1758. The full title is Heaven and its Wonders and Hell From Things Heard and Seen, and it presents a detailed account of the afterlife based on his claimed spiritual experiences. The book is divided into three main sections: Heaven, the World of Spirits, and Hell.

Swedenborg describes the structure, inhabitants, and daily life in heaven, emphasizing the joy and harmony found in this realm. He explains the World of Spirits as a transitional state where souls undergo purification before entering heaven or hell. In the section on hell, Swedenborg depicts it as a place of self-imposed suffering resulting from a life of selfishness and evil deeds. Throughout the work, he underscores the importance of free will, the consequences of one’s earthly actions, and the eternal nature of the soul.

Heaven and Hell offers a comprehensive vision of the spiritual world, aiming to provide guidance for moral and spiritual development. This translation by John C. Ager was first published in 1900.