Despite the progress in science and technology, it appears that empires are still subject to cycles. Since the year zero the Roman Empire rose and fell, the Holy Roman Empire rose and fell, the Spanish Empire rose and fell, Napoleon's Empire rose and fell, the British Empire rose and fell, the Third Reich rose and fell, the Soviet Union rose and fell, and now it appears that the American Empire that rose is now falling.
And what some call 'progress' in science and technologies others call a curse. Will 'progress' ultimately lead to humans being supplanted by cyborgs, genetically modified chimera, or full-up AGI robots?
Will our 'messiah' be a nuclear hardened Tesla with robotic arms?
I think there is not an inconsistency but a dichotomy between temporary history and ultimate history as regards cyclical history and progressive history. I think there is the former condition and it does go on and on, and then progressive history begins to reign AFTER the Messiah reigns.
I think there is much in every time which can seem like “progress” but the only progress that concerns G-d is moral progress with a combined faith in almighty G-d. The rest that is “modern” at any time is in the appearance of things and not underlying moral conditions, which may be better or worse at any “current” time, regardless of material or technological conditions.|
And, I think we truly do not know how much, be it centuries, millenniums or eons that cycles will repeat before Christ reigns and progressive history begins.