Elijah & The End Times | Dr Conrad Vine

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Elijah and the End Times: A Study Guide

Based on Malachi 4 & the Elijah Message

Designed for personal or group use

Introduction

This study guide explores the prophecy of Elijah in Malachi chapter 4 and its dual fulfillment—first in John the Baptist, and finally in an end-time movement that prepares the world for Christ’s second coming. We will examine the call to repentance, the restoration of God’s law, the healing of families, and what it means to stand with holy boldness in a cancel-culture world.

Part 1: The Promise of Elijah (Malachi 4)

Read Aloud: Malachi 4:1–6

Key Verse: “Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents.” (Malachi 4:5–6)

Background

  • Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament.

  • God’s people had become complacent. Priests weren’t teaching the law. The people were asking, “Where is the God of justice?”

  • Scoffers were emerging—just as 2 Peter 3:3–4 warns will happen in the last days.

Discussion Questions

  1. Malachi 4:1 speaks of a day burning like an oven. What do “root” and “branch” represent in this verse? (See sermon notes: root = Satan as source of evil; branch = followers of Satan)

  2. Malachi 4:2 says the “Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings.” Who is this, and what does it mean for us today? (See John 8:12; Jeremiah 23:6)

  3. The sermon described pit ponies leaping with joy when brought up from darkness. What does this picture teach us about deliverance and the second coming?

  4. Personal testimony: The preacher shared healings from back pain and plantar fasciitis. Has God healed you physically, emotionally, or spiritually? How can your testimony encourage someone else?

Key Insight

“The Son of Righteousness did not burst upon the world in splendor… Quietly and gently the daylight breaks upon the earth.” — Desire of Ages, p. 261

Part 2: The Call to Remember (Malachi 4:4)

Read: Malachi 4:4

“Remember the teaching of my servant Moses, the statutes and ordinances that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.”

Discussion Questions

  1. The Hebrew word zakar (“remember”) is the same word used in Exodus 20:8: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Why is this connection significant for the end-time Elijah message?

  2. The sermon stated: “Human obedience precedes divine blessing.” Is this biblical? How do obedience and grace work together? (See John 14:15)

  3. Why does the law of God—and specifically the fourth commandment—play a central role in the final crisis?

Application

  • This week, spend time meditating on the Ten Commandments not as a burden, but as a reflection of God’s character.

  • Ask: Is there any commandment I have neglected or redefined?

Part 3: Turning Hearts – The Family Dimension

Read: Malachi 4:5–6 (again)

Discussion Questions

  1. The preacher said: “It’s easy to father a child. It’s far harder to be a father to a child.” What is the difference?

  2. What happens when boys grow up without healthy, spiritually mature fathers? (See sermon: gangs, military, sports, etc.)

  3. The sermon noted that some children eat more on Friday and Monday because they’re starving over the weekend. How can the church help address both physical and spiritual hunger in families?

  4. How does turning the hearts of fathers to children uphold the fifth commandment? And how does that extend to upholding all ten?

Practical Challenge

  • If you are a parent: Plan one intentional, undistracted activity with your child this week.

  • If you are not a parent: How can you mentor or support a younger person in your congregation or community?

Part 4: The First Advent Elijah Figure – John the Baptist

Read: Luke 1:13–17; Matthew 3:1–6; John 1:19–21

Discussion Questions

  1. The Jews expected Elijah to physically descend from heaven. Why did John the Baptist say, “I am not” Elijah (John 1:21), yet Jesus called him Elijah (Matthew 11:14)?

  2. What does it mean to come “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17)?

  3. Repentance: The Greek word metanoeo means to turn 180 degrees and walk the opposite direction. Is repentance just a feeling, or is it a change of action? Explain.

  4. The sermon said that in modern culture, the word repent is treated as hate speech or a microaggression. Why is repentance so offensive to the world? How should Christians respond to this hostility?

Reflection

“If you say not everything in your life is in harmony with the will of God, that’s hate speech.” — from the sermon

  • Is there an area in your life where you have resisted repentance because it would be unpopular or costly?

Part 5: The End-Time Elijah Movement

Read: Malachi 4:5; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Peter 3:10

Key Truth

There are two fulfillments of Malachi 4:5:

  1. John the Baptist – before Christ’s first coming.

  2. A final Elijah movement – before Christ’s second coming.

Comparison Chart (from sermon)

Elijah (OT) John the Baptist Final Elijah Movement
Condemned Ahab (1st & 2nd commandments) Condemned Herod (7th commandment) Rebukes world/papacy for breaking 4th commandment
Called Israel to repentance & drought Called Israel to repentance & announced the Lord Calls world to fear God & give Him glory (Rev. 14:7)
Restored true worship on Carmel Preached true worship Calls for worship of Creator (including Sabbath)
Prayed for literal rain Prophesied Holy Spirit outpouring Prays for latter rain
Persecuted by Jezebel Persecuted by Herodias Persecuted by Babylon
Discipled young men (schools of prophets) Discipled young men (Andrew, John) Disciple-making movement
Simple diet Simple diet Health message
Modest clothing Modest clothing Dress reform
Taken to heaven Died a martyr Some translated, some martyred

Discussion Questions

  1. Which of these parallels surprises you most? Why?

  2. The sermon said the final Elijah movement will “spark revival within the Laodicean church” (Revelation 3:14–22). What is the Laodicean condition, and how does the Elijah message address it?

  3. Why is Christ depicted as outside the Laodicean church, knocking? What does that say about the state of organized religion at the end of time?

  4. “Cancel culture is never activated to defend truth—only to protect the powerful.” Have you ever been “canceled” for your faith or convictions? How did you respond? What does the sermon mean by becoming better rather than bitter?

Part 6: Preparation for the Final Crisis

Read: 1 Kings 17:1–6; 1 Kings 19:1–8; Ezekiel 22:30

Discussion Questions

  1. Why did God send Elijah to the brook Cherith (which means “cut off”) instead of letting him preach throughout Israel?

  2. What does the name Zarephath (“furnace”) teach us about God’s refining process?

  3. The preacher said: “Rocky trained before he got in the ring. Do you not think God’s people will have to train and prepare for the final crisis?” What does spiritual training look like for you?

  4. What is the difference between knowing that Jesus is coming and eagerly waiting for Him (Hebrews 9:28)?

Application

  • Identify one spiritual discipline you will commit to this month (Scripture memorization, fasting, silence, witnessing, etc.).

  • Ask: What “dross” in my life does God want to burn off before the showdown?

Part 7: Characteristics of the Final Movement

Read: Joel 2:32; Titus 2:14

Two Key Characteristics

  1. A Faithful Remnant – God will have a people who call on His name and are delivered.

  2. A Peculiar People – Redeemed from all iniquity, purified, zealous for good works.

Discussion Questions

  1. What does it mean to be “peculiar” in a world that demands conformity?

  2. The sermon said: “Membership in the church is not an automatic passport to heaven.” How does this align with the call for personal conversion?

  3. “God calls for men like Elijah, Nathan, and John the Baptist—who will speak the truth bravely, though it calls for the sacrifice of all they have.” (Prophets and Kings)
    What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Elijah message?

Part 8: A Churchill-Style Resolution

The preacher paraphrased Winston Churchill’s famous speech. Read this aloud as a commitment:

“By God’s grace, we will ride out the storm of the final conflict of conscience. We will outlive the menace of tyranny—if necessary for years, if necessary alone, even with every earthly means of support removed. That is our resolve.

We shall go on to the end. We shall spread the everlasting gospel through Bible studies, personal witnessing, and fervent prayer. We shall defend our faith whatever the cost. We shall never yield our love for Christ.”

Closing Question

  • Do you want to be part of this final Elijah movement? If yes, write down one concrete action you will take this week to begin or deepen your role in it.

Closing Prayer (from the sermon)

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of how prophecy works out over history. You are looking for a final generation who will speak the truth boldly, lovingly, regardless of personal consequence. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Give us holy boldness. Take away the attraction of the world’s toys. Give us victory over besetting sins. May we be part of the final Elijah movement, winning souls for eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Further Study

  • Read the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17–19 and 2 Kings 2.

  • Study the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14.

  • Read Prophets and Kings by Ellen G. White, chapters on Elijah and John the Baptist.

  • Memorize Malachi 4:5–6 and Hebrews 9:28.