This discourse was taught by the Rebbe on Shabbat Parshat Yitro in 1984.   The Giving of the Torah was a key moment in history, and especially in the history of the Jewish people.

They were coming face to face with the Essence of the Divine.  The dramatic aspects of that event, described in the Torah, were the prelude to that intense experience.

Indeed, so too was the slavery and redemption from Egypt: it was all preparation for this key moment.  In the same way our present Exile is a preparation for the infinite revelation which will take place with the ultimate Redemption.