That is a good question.
Daniel 7, and Rev 11, and Revelation 12, and Revelation 13 all predicted the 1260 years of dark ages persecution to happen before the end. that has passed.
Matt 24 predicts that the Gospel will go into all the World and THEN will the end come. That is either past or right on top of passing - as the gospel ministries have covered the globe umpteen times over. I was in India and noticed that they Christian Gospel programming in both English and Hindi pretty much non-stop on some channels. So even though Christianity is no more than 1% or 2% of the population - the coverage is massive. And now with internet - the former iron-curtain countries have their own people exposed to Christian sermons, Bible studies videos etc.
In Revelation 12 - you have the 1260 years of the Dark Ages.
In Revelation 13 you have a 7 headed (symbolic) beast that is a composite of all the world empires listed (as beasts with a total of 7 heads) in Daniel 7.
That has already happened.
In Rev 13 you have another beast rising up at the end of the Dark Ages - and rising to world super power status. That has happened.
In Rev 13 that super power - starts off like a lamb. (The good guys) - but it ends up revoking every principle of its constitution and speaking instead like a dragon - before it is all over. It sets up the mark of the beast.
It has yet to do such a thing - but ...
Obama gives himself control of all communication systems in America — RT
It is getting closer to creating a foundation for it. So yes - wayyy closer than 30 years away.
Reading Matt 24 and looking for patterns. Shouldn't we be seeing some odd things as signs in the heavens if it really is this close?
Good question --
2012 Something Is Going On! - YouTube