R’ Avraham Azulai, z”l, on the Zohar

Ohr Hachama, the commentary of R’ Avraham Azulai, z”l, on the Zohar:

[…]so too it will be with the Moshiach, after he merits to that Neshamah, and recognizes himself that he is Moshiach.

As it states [in the Zohar]: Moshiach will be revealed, but he still won't be recognized by the rest of the people[…] (Shemos 7b, quoting R’ Chayim Vital, z”l)

At the time that this individual receives the Neshamah of Moshiach, it is a private revelation, “but the rest of humanity will not recognize him”.

Only later will he be revealed to the people as Moshiach—what we refer to as the “coming of Moshiach”.
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The reason for this “delay” is found in the Ohr Hachama on Shemos 9a, where it states that:
“Moshiach can’t redeem Israel from below…only from Above…

There needs to be an awakening from below, in order to awaken the Rachamim from Above; even if the physical Moshiach, wants to redeem [them].”