But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. The certainty, suddenness, and concomitants, of the coming of the day of the Lord. Faber argues that the millennium. etc., must precede Christ's literal coming; not follow it. But "the day of the Lord" comprehends the whole series of events, beginning with the premillennial advent, and ending with the destruction of the wicked, final conflagration, and general judgment (which last intervenes between the conflagration and the renovation of the earth).
Will come. But (notwithstanding the mockers, and the delay) come and be present the day of the Lord SHALL.
As a thief. Peter repeats his Lords image (Luke 12:39; Luke 12:41) in the conversation in which he took a part: so also Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:2) and John (Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15).
The heavens - which the scoffers say shall "continue" as they are (2 Peter 3:4; Matthew 24:35; Revelation 21:1). With a great noise, х roizeedon (G4500)] - a noise like a whizzing arrow, or the crash of devouring flame. Elements - the world's component materials (Wahl). As "the works" in the earth are distinguished from "the earth," so by "elements" after "the heavens," Bengel explains 'the works therein'-namely, the sun, moon, and stars (as Theophilus of Antioch, pp. 22, 148, 228; and Justin Martyr, 'Apology,' 2:, 44, use stoicheia). Rather, as "elements" is not so used in Scripture Greek, the component materials of "the heavens," (including the heavenly bodies (mentioned in the world's destruction, as in its creation): it clearly belongs to "the heavens," not to "the earth," etc.
Melt - be dissolved, as in 2 Peter 3:11. The works ... therein - of nature and of art.