Sign of the Times

Also from the Kuntrus מצפים לישועה:

I heard from the holy rabbi Rav Menahem Mendel of Kotzk Zt"l who was saying how the Geonim wanted to bring Mashiah in a certain way, but were not successful. Afterwards, the Ba'alei Tosafot wanted to bring Mashiah, but were not successful. Afterwards, the Poskim also wanted to bring Mashiah, but were not successful. Afterwards, the [mussar] preachers and tzadikim wanted to bring him in a certain way, but were not successful. He concluded by saying: "It appears to me that Mashiah will come at a time that the Jewish people will be very busy in thought due to worries about their livelihood and their brains will be confused - that's when Mashiah will come."