========================================================================
  FIRST WORSE THEN THE BETTER
  by Clement of Rome
========================================================================

Summary: The speaker explains the order of events in God's plan,
highlighting the roles of Elias, Simon, and the speaker in preparing the
way for the true Christ.

Topics: "Eschatology", "Salvation History"
Scripture References: 2 Thessalonians 2:3

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clement of Rome speaks about the sequence of events leading up to the
revelation of Jesus Christ and the ultimate triumph of light over
darkness. He discusses the coming of false prophets, the spread of the
true Gospel, the rise of Antichrist, and the final revelation of Jesus
as the Christ, bringing an end to darkness. Clement emphasizes the
importance of recognizing the contrast between deception and truth,
ignorance and knowledge, disease and healing, as part of the divine plan
for salvation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

In like manner, the combination with respect to Elias, which behooved to
have come, has been willingly put off to another time, having determined
to enjoy it conveniently hereafter. Wherefore, also, he who was among
those born of woman came first; then he who was among the sons of men
came second.

It were possible, following this order, to perceive to what series Simon
belongs, who came before me to the Gentiles, and to which I belong who
have come after him, and have come in upon him as light upon darkness,
as knowledge upon ignorance, as healing upon disease.

And thus, as the true Prophet has told us, a false prophet must first
come from some deceiver; and then, in like manner, after the removal of
the holy place, the true Gospel must be secretly sent abroad for the
rectification of the heresies that shall be. After this, also, towards
the end, Antichrist must first come, and then our Jesus must be revealed
to be indeed the Christ; and after this, the eternal light having sprung
up, all the things of darkness must disappear.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/clement-of-rome/first-worse-then-the-better/
========================================================================