Matthew 24:26 pretty much covers all the "false" prophets running around "knowing" this or that about what this sign is and what country is what animal...etc.
He specifically states that we are to do what you suggest. Live as if he comes at this very moment.
I am the worst Christian imaginable. I have pride, anger issues, am not charitable to people that I view as parasites, and on and on. But I do know that I believe that Jesus died for my sins and that I hope and pray nightly for help in getting back up and trying again.
I think a lot of the folks talking about the signs of the end times are too busy looking at signs for the coming apocalypse and not looking at themselves in order to avoid making the painful choice of giving God everything and trusting in him or just going part of the way and "bargaining" with the big guy that you will do this good deed and that good deed but still harbor hate, lust, pride or any of the normal sins that man has.
anyway I think you hit the ball out of the park with your post.
Thank you. I agree with you as well. Focus on yourself, and your relationship to God and the Trinity, not the beast or the rockefellers or whatever gets cooked up.