Rabbi Wolpe quotes in one of his books, from a Rebbe who said “those who know the real reality of Moshiach don’t say, those who say, don’t know; the only ones, who both know and say, is Lubavitch” – the Rebbe has said “we are in the messianic era!” – what on earth does that mean?! – can we be in the Messianic era?? – well it depends, what aspect of the messianic era? – if you are waiting for the physical manifestation, then on one hand we are closer to this era then you can imagine – for what was foretold – world peace – never have there been more – Abundance – never has there been more – Living forever – well we may just be getting there – Jews retuning to Israel – never has there been more – A universal hunger for spirituality – never has there been more – That being said, we are obviously plagued by what we are still missing, the holy temple and a complete cessation of violence, suffering, death – but that’s not the essence of the messianic era – the essence of the messianic era is nothing more, than the Divine nature becoming the human – vdal