II Peter 3:10

The certainty, suddenness, and concomitant effects, of the coming of the day of the Lord. FABER argues from this that the millennium, &c., must precede Christ's literal coming, not follow it. But "the day of the Lord" comprehends the whole series of events, beginning with the pre-millennial advent, and ending with the destruction of the wicked, and final conflagration, and general judgment (which last intervenes between the conflagration and the renovation of the earth). will--emphatical. But (in spite of the mockers, and notwithstanding the delay) come and be present the day of the Lord SHALL. as a thief--Peter remembers and repeats his Lord's image (Luk 12:39, Luk 12:41) used in the conversation in which he took a part; so also Paul (Th1 5:2) and John (Rev 3:3; Rev 16:15). the heavens--which the scoffers say' shall "continue" as they are (Pe2 3:4; Mat 24:35; Rev 21:1). with a great noise--with a rushing noise, like that of a whizzing arrow, or the crash of a devouring flame. elements--the component materials of the world [WAHL]. However, as "the works" in the earth are mentioned separately from "the earth," so it is likely by "elements," mentioned after "the heavens," are meant "the works therein," namely, the sun, moon, and stars (as THEOPHILUS OF ANTIOCH [p. 22, 148, 228]; and JUSTIN MARTYR [Apology, 2.44], use the word "elements"): these, as at creation, so in the destruction of the world, are mentioned [BENGEL]. But as "elements" is not so used in Scripture Greek, perhaps it refers to the component materials of "the heavens," including the heavenly bodies; it clearly belongs to the former clause, "the heavens," not to the following, "the earth," &c. melt--be dissolved, as in Pe2 3:11. the works . . . therein--of nature and of art.

The apostle drawing towards the conclusion of his second epistle, begins this last chapter with repeating the account of his design and scope in writing a second time to them (Pe2 3:1-2). II. He proceeds to mention one thing that induced him to write this second epistle, namely, the coming of scoffers, whom he describes (Pe2 3:3-7). III. He instructs and establishes them in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to judgment (Pe2 3:8-10). IV. He sets forth the use and improvement which Christians ought to make of Christ's second coming, and that dissolution and renovation of things which will accompany that solemn coming of our Lord (Pe2 3:11-18).

3:10 The very elements themselves might refer to the basic components of the physical universe or to the sun, moon, and stars. • will be found to deserve judgment: The Greek text here is difficult; the reading followed by the NLT probably means that creation will appear before God at the time of judgment, and he will find it to deserve his judgment.