I know exactly what it means. It’s been imminent since Christ ascended. If people wanted to use a true time marker on how close we are, then I suggest you use the re-establishment of the nation of Israel. We’re almost 70 years since it’s been re-established.
The “church” is a loose meaning. If you include the Roman Catholic Church and various other persecuting Protestant sects, then yes I’d agree it’s been corrupted. Probably always has been.
The Lord has always had His own remnant for Himself that is not corrupt. Mankind has confused it’s organization, and nobody can define the real church under one umbrella organization that is man-made.
I don’t think there was a remnant until the church discovered Grace. I think we are now living in the Enlightened Age of Christianity. The end will come when the One World Government decides to completely eliminate the Word of God. It will be wiped off the Earth in a “Book of Eli” type deal.
That’s why in the Book of Revelation, no one seems to know what is happening. There is no Book of Revelation anymore. So we have plenty of time to teach and preach but we must protect the Sword of Truth.