The seventh millennium will be a time of peace and renewal, as it is written: ‘And on the seventh day, God rested and was refreshed’ (Exodus 31:17). So, too, the world will rest in the seventh millennium.
Truth will spring from the earth, and righteousness will look down from heaven. In the days of the Messiah, the times of God will become clear, and the righteous will walk in His light.
Elijah will come to herald the arrival of the Messiah, and he will teach the mysteries of the calendar, revealing the hidden times of God.
The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to the seven-year period, i.e., the Sabbatical cycle, during which the Messiah, son of David, comes: During the first year, this verse will be fulfilled: “And I will cause it to rain upon one city and cause it not to rain upon another city” (Amos 4:7). During the second year of that period, arrows of famine will be shot, indicating that there will be famine only in certain places. During the third year there will be a great famine, and men, women, children, the pious, and men of action will die, and the Torah is forgotten by those who study it. During the fourth year there will be plenty but not great plenty. During the fifth year there will be great plenty and they will eat, and drink, and rejoice, and the Torah will return to those who study it. During the sixth year, heavenly voices will be heard. During the Sabbatical Year, wars, e.g., the war of Gog and Magog, will be waged involving the Jewish people. During the year after the conclusion of the Sabbatical Year, the son of David will come.
