When Will the Messiah Arrive? Insights and Expectations

One of the thirteen principles articulated by Maimonides concerning the Jewish faith is the absolute belief in the coming of the Messiah. Today, many Jews are still hoping for someone to come and bring order. What will the days of the Messiah look like? Will life as we know it continue, with work, living, and eventually passing on? How long will these days last?

The coming of the Messiah is not a singular event, but part of a broader system aimed at perfecting the entire creation, explains Rabbi Eli Omer. When the first human being was created on the sixth day, he had one commandment - not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, yet he did. The Ramchal explains this led to a shift in all creation - transforming the six days into 6,000 years. Therefore, Israel is tasked to lead the world to spiritual perfection through observing 613 mitzvot, completing the spiritual rectification.

Where does the Messiah fit into this?
The Messiah is supposed to bring this plan to fruition. Currently, we are in the year 5,770, which means 230 years before the end. There are prophecies suggesting that before the Messiah comes, the Jewish people will gather and return to their land, which has already happened. No one can pinpoint the exact moment of his arrival, but all signs indicate it will be soon.

How will the world appear when the Messiah arrives?
The Rambam states that the role of the Messiah is to bring peace and tranquility to the world. There will be no wars or hostilities from other nations, enabling Israel to fulfill all the Torah and commandments, including building the Holy Temple. This achievement will help bring the seventh millennium, akin to the seventh day of creation.

What will the seventh millennium be like?
"The eye has not seen, O Hashem, except for you." We cannot comprehend it. We know it won't be a physical, material world like ours. The spiritual realm will dominate, and work will be spiritual, focusing on Torah and mitzvot.

Then how will we sustain ourselves?
The prophet says, "Foreigners shall stand and feed your flocks," meaning that we won't need to concern ourselves with material existence as others will take care of it for us. According to the Talmud in Tractate Shabbat, there will be a great desire among the nations to cling to the Jewish people and help them.

After the resurrection of the dead, won't there be overpopulation?
No. Today, many uninhabited places can be used for settlement. Moreover, when Hashem brings the resurrection, it will create another system, supernatural, beyond our current understanding.

Will everyone be resurrected?
Prophet Daniel says in chapter 12, “Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake.” This implies many, but not all. For instance, those who deny the resurrection, lend with interest, and others who brought it upon themselves will not rise in the resurrection.

Who will rise?
The righteous will rise to fulfill the commandments and to build more spiritual savings for the world to come. The righteous among the nations will also rise to receive their reward and the chance to connect again with Israel. Conversely, the wicked will rise so that Hashem can punish them. At the end of the 6,000 years, there will be another resurrection. Then the life of the world to come will begin, where reward will not relate to food, drink, marital relations, or material things. In the spiritual realm, the soul will support the body, not the reverse.

What happens when it ends?
The seventh millennium symbolizes eternal life, as in that era, there will be no physical dimension of time.

If someone wants to reach those eternal life days in peace, what should they do?
It’s a spiritual world, and hence the entry ticket is also spiritual; it's not about money or membership cards but Torah, commandments, and good deeds.