How close is Christ's return?
When considering such a question as this we must carefully bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:42.
"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Setting a date upon the Lord's return is utter folly in the light of these words and even more so in the light of Mark 13:32.
"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."
I might say that I believe that the verb rendered "knoweth," sometimes means "to make known, or to reveal". It is so used in 1 Corinthians 2:2. "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." The verse could be more accurately translated: "That day and hour none makes known, neither the angels, nor the Son, but the Father."
The idea that Christ does not know the mind of the Father is not in keeping with His eternal deity and His co-equality with the Father.
The knowledge of Christ is not limited. "As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father," John 10:15.
"All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." Matthew 11:27.
It would be wrong to believe that Christ is limited in His knowledge as far as His return is concerned.
On the other hand, we are limited in our knowledge. "Ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."
However, I believe that such an ignorance will be gradually lifted as the day approaches. I think that there is a time of "making known" and it is referred to in Daniel 12:8-9.