In 2015, an overhaul of the Seventh-Day Adventist fundamental beliefs was ratified in San Antonio, Texas. Among these, the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ was changed as to the wording, according to the following report from Adentist Today:

In number 25, the doctrine of the Second Coming, a phrase changed from “Christ’s coming is imminent” to “Christ’s coming is near.” This change not only has the advantage of using biblical language, but it makes for easier reading and is easier to translate. ^{[1] What was Changed in the Fundamental Beliefs Document? news article, July 12, 2015}

As you can see, the reason provided by Adventist Today for the change is because the word near is more biblical than imminent. Is that so? The Merriam-Webster dictionary regards the word imminent as ready to take place: happening soon ^{[2] Online Merriam-Webster dictioanry} So, regarding the timing, there seems to be not a big deal of difference between imminent, near and soon. However, "imminent" implies something more:

IM'MINENT, adjective [Latin imminens, from immineo, to hang over; in and minor, to threaten. See Menace.]
Literally, shooting over; hence, hanging over; impending; threatening; near; appearing as if about to fall on; used of evils; as imminent danger; imminent judgments, evils or death. ^{[3] Webster 1828}

Sin and human misery and woe is to have an end. The Bible is full of threatenings and warnings against the despisers of God's mercy. Malachi 4:5 speaks of a great and dreadful day of the LORD. Isaiah, looking at the consummation of all things, writes three times of a day of vengeance. ^{[4] Isaiah 34:8; 61:2; 63:4} The Second Coming that we preach is not only a Second Coming that is near, but the Second Coming as defined by the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy: an event that requires every one to be warned against and take an urgent decision to stand for God's side before is too late. This message that we have to bear before the fallen world is so important, that God inserted this doctrine into our very names. That's why I perceive the replacement of "imminent" with "near" as a backslidden step, weakening the mighty force of the message. "Imminent" conveys the correct spirit of our message.

The Second Coming is to remain a pillar of our faith until its consummation. In sister White's first vision, God's chosen people are seen on a path illuminated by the doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus:

[...] On this path the Advent people were traveling to the city, which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the midnight cry. This light shone all along the path and gave light for their feet so that they might not stumble. If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before. Then Jesus would encourage them by raising His glorious right arm, and from His arm came a light which waved over the Advent band, and they shouted, “Alleluia!” Others rashly denied the light behind them and said that it was not God that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of Jesus, and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below. Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. [...] EW 14.1

The following commentary explains how Adventists interpreted this vision back then:

At the beginning of the symbolic pathway revealed to youthful Ellen was a bright light, identified by the angel as the midnight cry, an expression linked with the climactic preaching in the summer and autumn of 1844 of the imminent Second Advent. In this vision she saw Christ as leading the people to the city of God. Their conversation indicated that the journey would be longer than they had anticipated. Some lost sight of Jesus and fell off the pathway, but those who kept their eyes on Jesus and the city reached their destination in safety. [...] EW xvi.2

182 years of preaching the Second Coming is indeed longer than we had anticipated. But lessening the intensity of the message now is madness, since now the end of the path is nearer than ever before. The very next thing sister White described after nominal Adventists forsook our precious message, is that the Father spoke the day and hour of Jesus' Coming. Shall we miss this imminent event by becoming engrossed in establishing ourselves in a world that is soon to be destroyed?

Christ is our invisible leader. He presents before His soldiers the plan of the battle. In the Word of God He points out the imminent peril and conflict, and enjoins upon every one to count the cost. “Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart: with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord. ... Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” [Ephesians 6:6-8, 10, 11.] As He shows us the preparation which we must have for the battle, He assures us that we shall have supernatural assistance. In our human weakness we shall be enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence in withstanding the power of the evil one. Ms 6, 1892, par. 17