The Mayan Apocalypse
Page 26
“It appears I was wrong about you, Morgan.” Rickman slapped him on the shoulder.
Morgan slapped him back. “It appears I was right about you.”
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”
Morgan just laughed.
Robert Quetzal Sanchez sipped a margarita as he watched the sun ease down to the horizon, its light glinting off the ocean and the villa of his new home in Venezuela. He put his feet up on the patio railing. It had only been a few days, but he was feeling at home in his new digs.
He opened the local paper and smiled at the Spanish headline. He translated it. AMERICAN CEOS RESCUED FROM RUSSIAN PRISON. Prison? Reporting in Venezuela was always suspect.
He had been willing to let them all die. Fewer people to worry about seeking revenge. No matter. He had their money and had covered his tracks well. His only concern now was boredom.
He wondered about Jaz and Candy. Part of the deal was they would part as wealthy friends, never to see each other again. They had chosen their own new homes in new countries.
In real life, the bad guys often got away.
Two days after Christmas, Morgan was still in Russia, helping law enforcement unravel the details of Kamchatka. Although thousands of miles away, he called daily to let Lisa know he was safe and to tell her of his love. He also asked for prayer. Something she never tired of.
She wished he were here now. One day after the world was to end, officials found Garrett Vickers’ body in a San Antonio landfill. Through detailed and professional detective work, the police were able to trace his murder back to a hotel in the city’s outlying area. Because of the poor state of his remains, it had taken a long time to identify his body. Truffaut had received two other phone messages from Garrett, but he was always on the office line and after hours. He had tried to reach Garrett on his cell phone several times, but it always went to his voicemail.
Rodney Truffaut was devastated, as was Garrett’s mother. Lisa stood next to her, ready to catch her should she faint.
The minster stood at a small, well-used lectern. Lisa was certain he was saying good things, comforting things, but she forgot the words as soon as he spoke them.
There was nothing Lisa could have done to prevent the murder. Even so, she felt guilty.
The Mayan doomsday passed, and the world continued on as it had before, but the funeral reminded her that every day, the world ends for someone. She pledged never to take those she loved and respected for granted.
And still the world turns. For her—for everyone—the future remains a mystery.
1. Before reading this novel, what were your thoughts on what might happen on December 21, 2012?
2. What do you think of Lisa Campbell’s actions throughout the novel? Would you have done anything differently if you were in her shoes? Why or why not?
3. Andrew Morgan tells Lisa at one point that he doesn’t see any difference between what Christians believe about the rapture and what he believes about the Mayan prophecies concerning December 21, 2012. Do you think there is a difference? If not, why? If so, how might you explain that difference to someone like Morgan?
4. Throughout the novel, Morgan blames God for the loss of his family. Balfour tells him that God was just another word his father would “sling around” as if the term were not referring to a real person. But Lisa tells Morgan that he cannot blame God unless he acknowledges His existence. If you acknowledge the reality of an all-knowing, omnipotent God, how does that affect your view of the future?
5. When researching 2012, Garrett and Lisa both ponder how the earth seems obsessed with its own destruction. Lisa wonders how anyone could anticipate the end of life on the planet. Why do you think some people are so fascinated with this topic?
6. Why do you think God didn’t keep Jaz from murdering Necco and Garrett? In the Bible, God also let horrible things happen to Job. Why do you think God allows such tragedies?
7. What might we learn from the fact that Quetzal, Jaz, and Candy all get away by the end of the novel?
8. After reading this novel, why do you think some people are convinced that the world will end on December 21, 2012?
9. Morgan’s loss of his family haunts him throughout the novel. Do you know anyone who has lost loved ones recently? If so, how might you encourage them?
10. Share with a friend what impacted you the most about this novel.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Mark Hitchcock is the author of more than 17 books related to end-time Bible prophecy, including the bestselling 2012, the Bible, and the End of the World. He earned a ThM and PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary and is the senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He has worked as an adjunct professor at DTS and has served as a contributing editor for the Left Behind Prophecy Club for five years.
Alton Gansky is the author of 30 books— 24 of them novels, including the Angel Award winner Terminal Justice and Christie Award finalist A Ship Possessed. A frequent speaker at writing conferences, he holds BA and MA degrees in biblical studies. Alton and his wife reside in Southern California.
OTHER HARVEST HOUSE BOOKS
BY MARK HITCHCOCK
THE AMAZING CLAIMS OF BIBLE PROPHECY
Mark Hitchcock takes a fascinating look at one of the most important aspects of Bible prophecy: It confirms the divine origin and complete reliability of God’s Word. Only God— who is all-knowing—can tell what lies ahead with 100 percent accuracy.
This resource will encourage you toward a deeper confidence in the Word and equip you with a powerful defense against those who question the Bible’s truth claims.
2012, THE BIBLE, AND THE END OF THE WORLD
What should Christians make of the rapidly spreading speculations that the world will end on December 21, 2012? The ancient Mayans were expert astronomers, and their advanced calendar cycles predict 12/21/2012 as a catastrophic day of apocalypse. This prophecy has spawned a growing number of fringe-element books, websites, and even a major movie.
Mark Hitchcock provides a fascinating survey of both the historical past and the prophetic future. You will discover how to effectively counter baseless speculation with biblical fact.
CASHLESS
Mark Hitchcock reveals how today’s emerging cashless society is consistent with prophecy written in Revelation 13. With research on the global economic, technological, and religious landscape, Hitchcock addresses important questions, including how the absence of cash sets the stage for the Antichrist.