Back to the old riddle: When was the first time the jews kept shabbos? I would say NEVER!!! yes, there are Jews that keep Shabbos, but there has never been a case where ALL the Jews kept shabbos based on a medrish (which I do not know where but remember learning) that if all the Jews kept shabbos Moshiach would come. Hence the famous song, just one shabbos and we will all be free! The fact that moshiach did not come yet shows that the Jews did not properly keep shabbos.
Out of curiosity– during the times of Mitzrayim or even in the times of the first Bais Hamikdash (during Shlomo Hamleches reign), did the Jews pray for Moshiach?