The heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; the heavens and earth shall pass away, either,
1. Simply, and by a substantial corruption or annihilation, which is yet to be understood comparatively or conditionally, that these should sooner vanish into nothing than God's promised salvation should not be accomplished; as when it is said, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away, Matthew 24:35. It is thus expounded, It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than (for) one tittle of the law to fail. Or,
2. In regard of their present state, and properties, and use, as smoke is here said to vanish, although the substance of it be not destroyed. They that dwell therein shall die in like manner; as they shall be dissolved, as we read, 2 Peter 3:11, and death is nothing else but a dissolution.