It is even possible that Moshiach will come only after the Resurrection of the Dead. * From Chapter Fifteen of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s Likkutei Mekoros, Volume 2. (Underlined text is the compiler’s emphasis.)
BaMidbar, Parshas Balak 24:17
I see it, but not now; I behold it, but not soon. A star has gone forth from Yaakov, and a staff will arise from Yisroel that will crush the princes of Moav and uproot all the descendants of Sheis.
Rashi
I see it: I see that prominence and greatness of Yaakov, but it is not at present; only at a later time.
A star has gone forth: As the Targum [Onkelus] renders, an expression similar to, “darach kashto – He has bent his bow” (Eicha. 2:4), for a star shoots like an arrow; in old French, destent, as if to say, his good fortune shall rise [prosper].
and a staff will arise: A king who rules with authority and dominance.
that will crush the princes of Moav: This refers to David, of whom it says, “he laid them on the ground and measured two cord-lengths to put to death…” (Shmuel II 8:2).
v’karkar – and uproot: [“karkar” is] a term that means “digging,” as in, “karti – I dug” (Melachim II 19:24); “to the hole of the pit from which you were dug out (nukartem)” (Yeshaya 51:1); “may the ravens of the valley pick it out (yikruha)” (Mishlei. 30:17); in French, forer.
all the sons of Sheis: All the nations, all of whom descended from Sheis (for the descendants of Kayin were decimated by the Flood, and Noach descended from Sheis ––Ikar Sifsei Chachomim), the son of Adam HaRishon.
Ohr HaChayim
The repetition and change in terms will be explained in light of what our Sages say (Sanhedrin 98a) – that if the redemption will be in virtue of the merit of the Jewish people, it will be wondrous in quality, and the redeemer of the Jewish people will miraculously be revealed from Heaven, as a sign from On High, as stated in Seifer HaZohar (Vol. 1 119a and Vol. 3 212b).
This is not so, however, were the redemption to unfold on account of the keitz [simply having reached the deadline for the redemption], in the event that the Jewish people are not worthy of a different manner of redemption. Regarding the latter outcome, it is said that the redeemer will come as a poor man riding a donkey (Zecharia 9:9).
Indeed, the first scenario – whereby, as a result of the merit of the Jewish people, Moshiach is revealed from On High – corresponds to the redemption described as “achishena – I will hasten it,” alluded to in the phrase, “I see it, but not now.” It says, “a star has gone forth,” for the redeemer shall shine from Heaven. Also, “star” here alludes to a star emerging in the middle of the sky as a wondrous miracle, as stated in Seifer HaZohar (ibid).
But corresponding to the redemption “b’ita – in its appointed time, the deadline,” alluded to by, “I behold it, but not soon,” it says, “a staff will arise from Yisroel.” That is, a single staff will rise from among the Jewish people as a natural occurrence of those who ascend in the world, as it is said, “and the lowest of men He sets upon it,” for he will appear as a poor man riding upon a donkey …