the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adverb] > near in time > near or close to a point in time (3)
Close to a place, thing, or person, esp. in space or time. Also figurative.
In close proximity (either in time or space), esp. so as to be adjacent; very near; immediately. Chiefly preceding a prepositional phrase, esp. with…
onwards of: on towards, approaching; nearly. Cf. onward, adv. 2. Obsolete.