Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai opened the period of the revelation of the inner teachings of the Torah, and there is a deep connection between this revelation and the redemption. Indeed, studying the inner teachings of the Torah is considered one of the most important means of hastening the redemption and preparing for it.
When one understands the essence of the redemption, it is clear that the connection between it and the revelation of the inner teachings of the Torah is direct and essential. Redemption is a direct continuation of the revelation of the inner Torah, and it completes this process.
The Revelation of the Truth
The essence of the redemption is: "And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh together will see that the mouth of the Lord spoke." (Isaiah 40:5) Also: "...for the land shall be full of knowledge of the Lord as water covers the seabed." (Isaiah 11:9) This is essentially the redemption – the revelation of the inner truth of all things. The concealment that covers the truth will be removed.
All the changes that will take place in the world in the days of Moshiach will be a natural result and a direct consequence of the revelation of the truth. When all will see with their own eyes that G-d is the true essence of all reality.
The preparation for the redemption began when the inner teachings of the Torah began to be revealed. This was done by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the author of the Zohar. He opened the 'channel' of the inner teachings of the Torah, from which the process of the revelation of the hidden light began.
However, in those days the world was not yet ready for this revelation. Therefore, the revelation of the inner teachings of the Torah was limited to a small circle of individuals with exceptional stature. Yet the Zohar itself prophesies that as the days of the Moshiach approach, the wisdom of the hidden will be revealed on a broad scale.
The World is Ready
This process was gradual. Initially, the inner teachings of the Torah were known only to select individuals. Later, as the days of the Moshiach drew closer, the Arizal began to spread the teachings of the hidden wisdom in a relatively broader way. However, it still remained the domain of a small circle.
Later, as the light of redemption began to shine, it became the time to reveal the inner teachings of the Torah on a broader scale. Then, the Baal Shem Tov opened the hidden light to the entire nation.
The Baal Shem Tov also revealed that the spreading of chassidus is directly connected to the redemption, as the Moshiach told the Baal Shem Tov that he would come "when your wellsprings – the wellsprings of chassidus – spread outside."
Now, when the wellsprings of chassidus have already spread across the globe, it is certain the world is ready for Moshiach!
Since in the future redemption not a single Jew will remain in exile, it is clear that the redemption of every individual Jew has a bearing on the redemption of the entire House of Israel. It is thus our duty to work with every Jew to ensure that he will be ready for the redemption. This is accomplished by disseminating the Torah and especially its pnimiyut, its innermost and mystical dimension, wherever Jews are to be found, and wherever even only one single Jew is to be found.
Therefore, in order that the wellspring itself (and not merely the waters that derive from it) should reach the furthermost places, the Tanya should be printed everywhere, for it is the Written Law of the teachings of Chassidus. The well-spring itself, the source of the life-giving waters, will thus be found in every such place.
The Rebbe, From Exile to Redemption, reprinted with perm. from Sichos in English
