The heavens pass away
Then the heavens will be shriveled up as a parchment scroll, and pass away with a great noise. They will flee from the face of him who sits on the throne, and there will be found no place for them. Revelation 20:11. The very manner of their passing away is disclosed to us by the apostle Peter. In the day of God, the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved. 2 Peter 3:12. The whole beautiful fabric will be overthrown by that raging element, the connection of all its parts destroyed, and every atom torn from the others. By the same, the earth also, and the works that are in it, shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10.
The enormous works of nature, the everlasting hills, mountains that have defied the rage of time and stood unmoved so many thousand years, will sink down in fiery ruin. How much less will the works of art, though of the most durable kind, the utmost efforts of human industry, tombs, pillars, triumphal arches, castles, pyramids, be able to withstand the flaming conqueror? All, all will die, perish, vanish away, like a dream when one awakes.
1771 text
2. Then the heavens will be shriveled up as a parchment scroll, and pass away with a great noise: they will flee from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and there will be found no place for them. The very manner of their passing away is disclosed to us by the apostle Peter: in the day of God, the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved. * The whole beautiful fabric will be overthrown by that raging element, the connection of all its parts destroyed, and every atom torn asunder from the others. By the same the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. The enormous works of nature, the everlasting hills, mountains that have defied the rage of time, and stood unmoved so many thousand years, will sink down in fiery ruin. How much less will the works of art, though of the most durable kind, the utmost efforts of human industry, tombs, pillars, triumphal arches, castles, pyramids, be able to withstand the flaming conqueror. All, all will die, perish, vanish away, like a dream when one awaketh?
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 15 in the 1771 Works. Romans 14:10. Bedford, 10 March 1758.
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