Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Peter 3:10

10 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 burnt up.

The Day of Judgment is here called the Day of the Lord by way of Eminence, as the great Day, Jude 6. and the great Day of God Almighty, Rev. 16.14. and the Day of the Lord Iesus, 1 Cor. 1.8. and 5.5. and 2 Cor. 1.14. and Phil. 1.6, 10.

As a Thief comes suddenly and unexpectedly, when he thinks all in the House are most secure.

Viz. Those that are visible, in distinction from the Empyreal Heaven, or Place of glorified Spirits.

Either wholly, so as to cease to be; or rather, as to their present Being and Condition, so as to cease to be what they now are, and to give place to the new Heaven, Rev. 21.1. The same word is used, Matth. 24.35. Luke 16.17.

Either swiftly and violently, or with such a noise as is usually caused by such violent and speedy motions.

The Elements, in a natural sense, as integral parts of the Universe, Air, Water, Earth.

So v. 12. where another word is used in the Greek, which properly signifies melting, or being on fire, or burning, shall be dissolved, or destroyed. So the word signifies, Iohn 2.19. and 1 Iob. 3.8.

The habitable part of the World. Tho the Earth, as a part of the World, be included in the Elements before-mentioned, yet here it may be taken with respect to its Inhabitants, and the things contained in it.

Not only artificial, Men's Works, but natural, all that Variety of Creatures, animate and inanimate, wherewith God hath stored this lower World for the present use of Man; and so all those delectable things in which carnal Men seek their Happiness.

Marginal references: 1 Thess. 5.2. Rev. 3.3.; Psal. 102.26. Isa. 51.6. Mat. 24.35. Rom. 8.20. Rev. 20.11.