"Rav Yaakov explains: The Talmud does not mean that Moshiach will not arrive until we have abandoned hope of any redemption. It means that Moshiach will not arrive until we have abandoned hope of other types of redemption. Only when we realize that redemption is in His hands and truly only in His hands will Hashem send us the true redemption." ~ Shirat Devorah
Related:
Generation Slumdogeater