The Deathbed Recantation of a Famous Critic of Christianity
When Voltaire felt the stroke that he realized must terminate in death, he was overpowered with remorse. He at once sent for the priest, and wanted to be "reconciled with the church."
Sean Michael Morris·Feb 12, 2024·Updated Sep 3, 2026
The Last Hours on Earth of Voltaire
Voltaire was a Famous Deist of the 1700's and an Outspoken Critic of Christianity Comparable to Richard Dawkins as an Outspoken Atheist in Modern Times
When Voltaire felt the stroke that he realized must terminate in death, he was overpowered with remorse. He at once sent for the priest, and wanted to be "reconciled with the church." [Note: Roman Catholicism could not reconcile Voltaire to God because it was riddled with heresies that are dangerous and contrary to the Bible.] Voltaire's infidel flatterers hastened to his chamber to prevent his recantation; but it was only to witness his ignominy and their own. He cursed them to their faces; and, as his distress was increased by their presence, he repeatedly and loudly exclaimed:
"Begone! It is you that have brought me to my present condition. Leave me, I say; begone! What a wretched glory is this which you have produced to me!"
Hoping to allay his anguish by a written recantation, he had it prepared, signed it, and saw it witnessed. But it was all unavailing. For two months he was tortured with such an agony it led him at times to gnash his teeth in impotent rage against God and man. At other times, in plaintive accents, he would plead, "O Christ! O Lord Jesus!" Then, turning his face, he would cry out, "I must die -- abandoned of God and of men!"
As his end drew near, his condition became so frightful that his infidel associates were afraid to approach his bedside. Still they guarded the door, that others may not know how awfully an infidel was compelled to die. Even his nurse repeatedly said, "For all the wealth of Europe she would never see another infidel die."
It was a scene of horror that lies beyond all exaggeration. Such is the well-attested end of the one who had a natural sovereignty of intellect, excellent education, great wealth, and much earthly honor. We may all well exclaim with Balaam, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!"
This shocking testimony is an excerpt from a book that was written and compiled by Solomon B. Shaw in 1898, entitled,"Dying Testimonies of the Saved and Unsaved".
“Not only have millions upon millions of God’s children witnessed in life and death of Jesus’ power to save, but most infidels, skeptics, and sinners of every grade are constrained to acknowledge the truth of the Christian religion before they die.” - S.B. Shaw
“Multitudes, while dying, see and hear things that are not seen or heard by others.” - S.B. Shaw
I was awakened and was anxious about my soul a little time ago. But I did not want to be saved then. Something seemed to say to me, 'Don'tput it off, make sure of salvation.'
The Bible is an inspired book of infinite power! Nevertheless, powerless Preachers deliver boring sermons to sleepy congregations every single week of the year. How can it be? The finger of God points to the Seminary downtown.
These are perilous times. The inspiration of the Word of God has been attacked in recent times more than ever before. Questioning the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture is an attack on its inspiration.
Self-esteem is an uphill battle that you are never going to win, unless your conscience is seared and you silence the mental reprover. This is not advisable (Titus 1:15).
Do you love yourself? This is a core part of self-esteem in psychology. Are you accepting and receiving the love of God for yourself? This is a core part of salvation in Christianity. The two are mutually exclusive.
The Word of God, contained in the Bible, deals honestly with the situation that we are in as condemned sinners. We need to see our criminal behavior against the laws of God in the Bible as something outrageous and unacceptable.
