The concept of Mashiach is not a person; it is actually two rectification processes. Mashiach ben David is the process of raising the world up to a level of shleimus, of perfection; this is the reason why Man was created. Mashiach ben Yosef is man's correction of the damage caused in the world by sinning. How do free will and divine providence interact? Life is nothing more than an experience where you're either involved in activities which are essentially routine, or activities which lead you to choices where you feel the impulses of do or don't. What happens when you choose wrong and go in a negative direction? You have caused damage to the world, which then needs to be removed and repaired. Which of our experiences come from Above to below, and which come from within our control - from below to Above? The more your life is involved with passive experiences, the less it is involved with active experiences. The essence of Torah is that life is a struggle to go higher, and it is only in this life that you will be able to go higher. Once Mashiach arrives, whatever status you have earned becomes your permanent status. Sieze the day to do mitzvot!