Could the end times simply be referring to an age of enlightenment?

Question

ok, let's assume for a moment that those who wrote the bible in order to achieve some means of control, knew the stories they were writing were lies, and would eventually be called into question. you don't have to be a prophet to foresee that happening. it would only require common sense to know that if you tell a lie, eventually people will question you on it. under this context, doesn't the following verse and others like which "foretell" of the end times make perfect sense? in which case, isn't it likely that end times don't refer to the end of the world, but more the end of irrational thought? and thus, in order to ensure that their control be held as long as possible they scared people into believing.

2 Peter 3:3-6 "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:"

Answer 1

The point in time when Science has proven that religion is nonsense.

Answer 2

Surely, and it could also just be a total crock!

Answer 3

The inventors of the New Testament certainly knew how to manipulate and control people.  They added lots of guilt and fear with the assurance that only their way can ease that guilt and fear.  They added a scapegoat that could be used to explain anything that was not covered in the buy-bull.  We can just blame satan for anything that brings the buy-bull into question.

Answer 4

I think so. I have read the Bible and the end times passages as of late. Realistically, to me, everything points to America being the anti-Christ and the holy land, being Iraq, garden of Eden, what have you, to be sacred.

Basically you can interpret it any way. I am not saying that simply to be controversial here. If this is a real prophesy, then it does not dictate the end of the world. Just the end of the world as Christians know it.

And realistically, a totally fanatical offshoot of Christianity, being America, is not the true word of God. Sorry, it just is not. Why would it be. If anything the more traditional Middle Eastern systems of belief are far closer to the actual Biblical verses. America is a cesspool of physical pleasures. I may be part of that as well, but I am not blind here.

Answer 5

That's a possibility.  More research is needed, however.

Answer 6

Let's asusme the writers were donkeys. Would that mean an age of "no donkey on donkey violence"?

You can assume anything you want and extrapolate any end result you want, lol

Answer 7

Interesting idea.  As a person who was formerly a christian I can say that with the easy access to scholarly information I have a different opinion about all that now.

I'm learning the actual history of things and I have begun to form my thoughts on my old religion.  I've come to realize that it was just another philosophy that was elevated to a religion complete with a new god etc.

So I can see the validity of your statement -

Yes I think so.

Answer 8

If this is the age of enlightenment then I choose to stay back in the dark ages!

How can you call what is happening throught this world as a way of "enlightenment " when it's been the bloodiest  century known to mankind!

Answer 9

The signs of end times have been among us during all the generations. We are living the last scene of the Revelation. We do not know how long it will be, but God's will be done. Everything will happen in God's timing, and everything will happen the way the Bible says it

Answer 10

Oh, it will definitely be a time of enlightenment for many.

Answer 11

The bible is all in how you read it!

Answer 12

...I guess it is determined by what you consider enlightenment.

...For me, I read that the earth and its works will be burned up; this world will perish.  Satan and those who refused Jesus gift of salvation go to the lake of fire.

...It doesn't sound like some "tea party" or age of enlightenment to me - we are approaching the end of time, and Jesus is coming back for all who have trusted in Him for salvation - are you ready?

Answer 13

My goodness, wouldn't that be amusing!

Answer 14

The Bible also says that humans will be more intelligent and many things will be revealed to man in the end times.  

It says that once Israel becomes a nation (as it did in 1948), that generation shall not pass (meaning the end will be upon us before the last person in that generation dies).

It means exactly what it says.  The end of the world is near.

The world still has to go to a cashless society (which is in the works) and a whole world government.  Other than that, there are not many other prophecies that haven't already been fulfilled.

Answer 15

ding ding ding

You win the prize!