{"id":643,"date":"2016-12-19T13:26:23","date_gmt":"2016-12-19T18:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/soaringeagleradio.com\/?p=643"},"modified":"2018-05-04T09:41:56","modified_gmt":"2018-05-04T13:41:56","slug":"christmas-through-the-eyes-of-heaven-a-tale-of-two-realities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/soaringeagleradio.com\/index.html\/blog\/christmas-through-the-eyes-of-heaven-a-tale-of-two-realities\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Through the Eyes of Heaven: A Tale of Two Realities"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the best of times; it was the worst of times.\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/h4>\n

A Tale of Two Cities<\/i><\/b> <\/i>by Charles Dickens is a literary classic and this opening line has become iconic: \u201cIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times.\u201d\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/h4>\n

Many people can finish this line if you begin it for them \u2013 it was the best of times .<\/i>\u00a0.\u00a0 . . . <\/i>but does anyone know the rest of the opening lines?<\/h4>\n

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way. . .<\/i><\/h4>\n

For me, this idea of two realities co-existing simultaneously defines the current state of affairs for mankind. \u00a0We live in an age of never before seen wealth and extravagance. (Read Ravi Zacharias letter<\/a>) \u00a0At the same time we are witnessing unprecedented poverty and multitudes of people who have succumbed to a sense of hopelessness that shapes their attitude and therefore their existence, into a misshapen image never intended by God.<\/h4>\n

We live in a time of spiritual dualities; we see open and inviting spirituality AND an increased hostility toward orthodox, biblical Christianity.\u00a0 Dare to venture into conversation on subjects of secular idolatry today and swift is the reaction.\u00a0 Phil Robertson found this out recently.<\/h4>\n

Even our celebration of Christmas suffers under dual realities.<\/h4>\n

Christmas in America has become for many people, Christians included, a nostalgic reminiscing of all things wholesome and happy. Consider the following television commercials that all conjure up warm, fuzzy sentiments.<\/h4>\n