-Seven things were created before the creation of the world. (Pesikta Rabbah 152b), (Nedarim 39b), (Pesachim 54a):
1. The ‘Word’ (Prov. 8:22)
2. Repentance (Psalm 90:2-3)
3. The Garden of Eden (Paradise) (Gen. 2:8)
4. Gehinnom (the lake of fire) (Isa. 30:33)
5. The Throne of Glory (Psalm 93:2)
6. The 'Temple' (Jer. 17:12)
7. The Moshiach’s name (Psalm 72:17)
-Talmud Sanhedrin 97 - "The Tanna debe Eliyyahu teaches the world is to exist 6000 years:
0-2000 - Age of 'desolation'
2000-4000 - Age of Torah (G-d's development of Torah and Israel to be the light)
4000-6000 - Age of Moshiach (Yemos ha'Mashi'ach) The Torah has been 'finalized'. Ignorance is no longer an 'excuse' to sin. Israel set out to nations to spread light.
Concerning years 4000-6000: The Rebbe said "... It is known that “the days of Moshiach” contain many sub-periods, beginning from the time in which “A king from the House of David will arise,” continuing on to the phase in which “he is presumed to be Moshiach,” until he reaches the state of “Moshiach for certain.” - Hisva’aduyos 5749, Vol. 3, p. 197