'''[[Ohr Chayim]]''' on Holy Sparks says that there is a type of holy spark that is attached to the Qelipah and which cannot emerge at all. It cannot develop into a holy soul that is born and eventually joins the Jewish people. Rather it is enmeshed within the Qelipah and it has no way to separate from it other than through the Jews being pained through the suffering of exile OR through the blows inflicted upon them. Through this suffering the holiness within these nations can be extracted and returned to its root to become part of the Jewish people. See [[Az mi-lifnei vereishit]].
Ramchal says that all the sparks of holiness must be returned to their original place, then the exiles will be gathered in.
The greater sparks of Holiness have been completely removed from the Qelipah and the only ones left are those in the heel. Sar haPanim is the Yod taken from Esav's heel which redeems the sparks from Qelipah as when the "feet touch the feet". If the generation is worthy then Sar HaPanim will come on the clouds of Glory. If the generation is unworthy then he will come riding on a donkey. If worthy then the nations will be removed from the Qelipah through Torah study. If unworthy then they will be removed through physical violence.
He Sar HaPanim is currently binding wounds at the gates of Rome (Edom) from whence he will come to bring about the Messianic Era. Rav Akiva says that Sar haPanim is the Messiah.
'''[[Kinat Ad*nai Tzevaot]]''' says that there is a Great Rome and there is a Small Rome and there the Mashiachim (Sar HaPanim) sit, one in terms of Great Rome and one in terms of Small Rome and from there the sparks needed for Israel are sorted. And their suffering eases the punishment of Israel.