If a person has a main artery slashed, they're near death. Doesn't matter how long they have, they're near death. When they loose feeling in the extremities, they are still near death. When the blood pressure shallows, they are still near death. When they begin feeling cold, they are still near death. When vision starts tunneling and sound fades, they are still near death. When it all stops they are dead. The end of time is near because we see the signs of it. It doesn't mean it's ten minutes away, it means we should take the signs for what they are and be prepared for the inevitable. You can at times forestall Death. But the end of time is on God's schedule - you ain't stoppin it. The most you can do is be aware of what is due to happen and know where you stand in relation to it. If you're right with God, how soon is immaterial. The signs are here to tell us it's close - not to give us chance to prevent it. So some perspective is required.
64 FAILED END-OF-THE-WORLD PREDICTIONS. Google turns up a lotta websites like this one.