In Both Worlds

In Short

This allegorical spiritual novel recounts the life, death, and dual-world existence of Lazarus of Bethany. Orphaned young and subjected to the scheming of dark magicians, Lazarus journeys from Judea to Athens and Rome, encountering early Christian figures alongside pagan occultists. After falling ill and dying, he experiences the vast realms of the afterlife before being restored to physical life. His subsequent decades of imprisonment, survival, and faith showcase a dramatic exploration of Swedenborgian theology, early Christian devotion, and the eternal continuity of the human spirit across both earthly and heavenly planes.

The Story

The narrative opens in Judea with the young Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, facing severe hardship following the death of their righteous father. Left under the guardianship of sinister figures like the magician Magistus, the orphans navigate a household dominated by deceit, dark arts, and captivity. A faithful, mute African servant named Ethopus and a kindly uncle, Beltrezzor—a former Persian adept—provide sanctuary and guidance. Guided by early encounters with John the Baptist and the emerging presence of Jesus, Lazarus sets out to complete his education, traveling across the Mediterranean world to intellectual and cultural epicenters like Alexandria, Athens, and Rome.

Throughout his travels, Lazarus is torn between competing worldviews and earthly temptations. In Athens, he falls deeply in love with the beautiful Helena, whose allure draws him into a world of pagan philosophy and sensory enchantment. However, the darker side of this occult realm continually pursues him, personified by the deceitful sorcerer Simon Magus. Upon arriving in Rome, Lazarus witnesses the decadence and cruelty of the empire, contrasting starkly with the emerging Christian faith. The emotional toll of unrequited love and spiritual conflict eventually overwhelms his physical health, leading to a long illness and his eventual death.

Upon dying, Lazarus awakens in the world of spirits—an intermediate realm between earth and heaven. Guided by angelic companions and his deceased father, he explores the true nature of the afterlife. He learns that the spiritual world reflects one's inner moral state and discovers the divine identity of Jesus Christ, who appears across all spiritual spheres. Lazarus observes visionary judgments over pagan gods, sees the symbolic representation of human souls, and witnesses how heavenly joy springs from useful service and genuine love.

His spiritual journey is interrupted when he is restored to his natural body on earth, raised from the dead by Jesus. Returning to the physical realm, Lazarus faces renewed hostility from Magistus and the Roman authorities. He suffers under Pontius Pilate's tyranny and grieves the martyrdom of his loyal friend Anthony. When his sister Mary is condemned to the Roman arena as a Christian, their uncle Beltrezzor selflessly disguises himself to take her place, perishing in the arena so she may escape. Lazarus himself is captured and cast into a Roman prison, where he spends nearly three decades performing hard labor. He finds solace in stolen literature, including the tragedies of Aeschylus and a copy of the Psalms given to him by a dying fellow prisoner. Sustained by his unwavering faith and his direct knowledge of the eternal world, he eventually achieves physical freedom, anchored by the enduring reality of the spirit.

How It Unfolds

Loss and captivity in Bethany Following the death of his devout father, young Lazarus and his sisters are placed under the control of the dark magician Magistus. They survive in a hostile household with the aid of Ethopus, a sympathetic mute servant, and Beltrezzor, their long-lost uncle who rescues them from perilous magical trances and deception.

Journeys of heart and mind Seeking to broaden his education, Lazarus travels through Alexandria and Athens, where he is captivated by the beautiful Helena and immersed in classical art and philosophy. His travels lead him onward to Rome, where he experiences the height of imperial luxury alongside underlying moral decay.

Transition into the spirit realm Overwhelmed by spiritual anguish and unrequited love, Lazarus succumbs to a fatal illness. Passing beyond physical life, he is greeted by angelic guides who open his eyes to the spiritual world, showing him how the inner soul takes form after physical death.

Visions of divine order In the afterlife, Lazarus receives instruction from his deceased father and angelic hosts regarding the nature of God, the divine humanity of Christ, and the illusory state of pagan mythologies. He learns that true heavenly worship consists of performing useful service to others.

Resurrection and prolonged trial Restored to physical life by Christ, Lazarus returns to a hostile Judea where he is targeted by old enemies and Roman rulers. After his uncle Beltrezzor heroically sacrifices his life in the arena to save Mary, Lazarus is arrested and endures twenty-five years of Roman imprisonment, sustained only by rare books and his enduring faith until his eventual release.

The People

• Lazarus of Bethany: The central protagonist and narrator. Earnest, philosophical, and deeply spiritual, he seeks truth through world travel and personal tragedy, undergoing a physical death and resurrection that grants him direct knowledge of the afterlife.
• Magistus: The primary antagonist and legal guardian of Lazarus and his sisters. A calculating magician and hypocrite, he uses occult power and political influence to oppress the family and attempt to reclaim their wealth.
• Beltrezzor: The uncle of Lazarus, formerly a Persian adept known as the Son of the Desert. A plain, honest, and immensely wealthy man, he ultimately trades his own life in the Roman arena to rescue his niece Mary from execution.
• Ethopus: A mute African servant and former slave who protects Lazarus and his sisters. Possessed of immense loyalty and quiet strength, he uses expressive pantomime to warn the family of impending dangers.
• Helena: A beautiful Grecian woman in Athens whose charm and sensuous elegance captivate Lazarus, representing the artistic and romantic allure of the pagan world.
• Simon Magus: A fanatical sorcerer and ally of Magistus who constantly opposes the early Christian movement and pursues Lazarus and his family across the empire.

In Its Own Voice

"The fundamental idea," said he, "is a profound respect for the human body itself as the casket which has contained the spiritual jewel, the soul."

This reflection by a ship's chaplain opens the framing discussion on the enduring nature of human physical and spiritual existence.

"You are in the world of spirits, my brother," said one of them with ineffable sweetness. "Be not afraid, but rejoice! The world of spirits is the vast realm betwixt earth and heaven into which all men come when they are first raised from the dead."

An angelic guide reassures Lazarus immediately after his physical death, introducing him to the immediate realm of the afterlife.

"I had been in prison about twenty-five years, when I came into possession of another and far greater book."

Lazarus reflects on his long, quiet endurance in captivity and the comfort he derived from receiving a copy of the Psalms.

What It's Really About

In Both Worlds explores the continuity of human consciousness across the boundary of physical death, presenting a defense of Swedenborgian spiritual theology through historical fiction. The narrative argues that the material and spiritual worlds exist in close correspondence, with physical reality serving merely as an outer shell for the immortal soul. It contrasts the empty illusions of classical paganism and dark occultism against the transformative light of Christian faith and divine love. Through the trials of Lazarus and his family, the novel examines the problem of earthly suffering, demonstrating that outer captivity and physical hardship cannot dim a soul anchored in eternal truth, useful service, and selfless sacrifice.

Why Read It Today

This novel offers a unique nineteenth-century reimagining of biblical fiction, distinct for its blend of historical adventure, Swedenborgian mysticism, and early Christian drama. Readers interested in theological fiction or visionary literature will appreciate its vivid descriptions of the spirit world, structured around detailed allegorical visions of heaven, hell, and the intermediate state.

The narrative moves at a steady, deliberate pace, balancing dramatic plot twists—such as prison escapes, arena trials, and magical confrontations—with reflective philosophical dialogues. While modern readers may find its elevated nineteenth-century prose style and didactic theological explanations somewhat formal, the story's core emotional heart remains deeply engaging. The selfless heroism of figures like Beltrezzor and the quiet resilience of Lazarus during his decades of imprisonment offer a moving exploration of faith under pressure. It is an ideal read for those who enjoy novelistic takes on ancient history, spiritual journey narratives, and classical allegories of life after death.