Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write in the MYSTERY genre (04/05/07)
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TITLE: The Riddle of the Sphinx | Previous Challenge Entry
By Edy T Johnson
04/12/07 -
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"It is stunning, isn't it," she replied with a smile. "An artist friend of mine designed it as part of a series she calls her 'Ancient Witness Collection.' "
"Oh, so there is a story that goes with the pin. Do you have time to tell me?"
The woman zipped open the small "belly bag" she had buckled at her waist. "Here, in case we're interrupted. It's the information brochure that accompanies the pin." She handed it to me. A photo of the jewelry introduced the story. My curiosity piqued, I took a closer look.
Two elliptical bands, one plain gold, the other studded with small black-star sapphires, crossed each other over a golden replica of the famous Egyptian Sphinx. The figure wore two more sapphires as eyes. I counted twelve gems, altogether.
"The Riddle Of The Sphinx," I began reading, "is the first piece of jewelry in the Ancient Witness Collection. To uncover the riddle, we go back in time to Noah's Ark. This vessel that saved Noah and his family also preserved the history of the antediluvian world for our benefit. These people served as trustees of the truth. As Don Richardson explains in his book, Eternity In Their Hearts, this general revelation expanded to the far reaches of the earth after the dispersion at the Tower of Babel.
"Since God has not left Himself without witness," I continued reading, "wherever archeologists look, they find evidence of this ancient truth. But, they may not understand its significance. Hence we find the Sphinx, which is an oversized enigma. What is its purpose, its meaning?
"The primary picture languages of the world can be traced to the original manuscript written by God in the constellations ringing the heavens. But, when you have a circular message, how does the reader understand where the story begins? A clue to the riddle lies in the name given to this ancient monument: Sphinx.
"Ask any nurse what a 'sphincter' is. It is a round muscle, such as the iris of one's eye. The zodiac, that circular pathway in the heavens where the constellations appear, can also be viewed as a 'sphincter.' The Sphinx is thus obviously linked with the zodiac, identifying the point on the circle where the story begins and ends!"
My eyes widened in astonishment as I read on: "The Sphinx appears to be a creature with the head of a woman and the body of a lion. In the constellations, we find Virgo, or the virgin, and we have Leo, the lion. This monument illustrates that the story begins with 'The virgin shall conceive...' and ends with 'The lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed!'
"But, how did the 'tribe of Judah' enter the story?
"Because the original teaching became distorted over time, the Author of the Universe set aside the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to be His messengers of special revelation. The twelve sons of Jacob, some believe, each decorated his standard with one of the constellation pictures. Judah's was the lion. And it is through his descendants that God stepped into history as the Messiah and Savior of the world. In other words, 'the Lion of the tribe of Judah' has prevailed in the long war between truth and deception.
"To indicate these twelve tribes, the black star sapphires also hint at the heavenly pictures which tell the story of redemption for all the world to see. (See also Psalm 19 and E.W. Bullinger's: The Witness of the Stars.)"
I handed the brochure back to the woman with the unique pin. "Where can a person buy your artist friend's jewelry? This is a remarkable witnessing tool."
"Unfortunately," the woman replied, "nothing is on the market, yet. My friend hopes to make quality, yet affordable, jewelry so this witness is not limited to the wealthy. She'd like for every Christian to have one of these storytelling pins as a vehicle for evangelism. And, you should see the other ideas she has. The second in the series is called 'The Secret From The Garden,' in which she tells a story from the Chinese perspective...."
"This is so exciting. Everybody loves a mystery. Do tell your friend I'm already sold on the idea!"
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Acts 14:17,Isa 7:14,Rev 5:5
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Your fellow commentors are correct. You could have a series on your hands.
Excellent work. (I'm guessing this was hard work--lots of research?)