Ezekiel 37:15-17 prophesies about two sticks being joined together to become 1. One stick represented the two tribe kingdom of Judah and the other stick represented the 10 tribe of Israel (Ephraim). The article explains how the coming together of these two sticks meant the reuniting of these tribes in 537 BCE.
The modern day fulfillment was previously taught to mean that the anointed had once again come together in unity in these last days.
The July Watchtower now explains that one stick, the stick of Judah, represents the anointed and the other stick, the stick of Ephraim, represents the other sheep. They further explain that since 1919 God's people have gradually reunited to become one flock.
They are now saying that the other sheep are represented by 10 tribes of Israel. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case as they explain in small writing at the end of the article the following
(Edited - only the following part that is in bold and italics is quoted from the Watchtower, I had trouble with the formatting)
<<It is interesting to note the progression that Jesus used when he told the illustrations that became part of the sign of his presence. First, he referred to “the faithful and discreet slave,” the small group of anointed brothers who would take the lead. (Matt. 24:45-47) Then, he gave illustrations that applied primarily to all those with a heavenly hope. (Matt. 25:1-30) Finally, he spoke of those with an earthly hope who would support Christ’s brothers. (Matt. 25:31-46) Similarly, the modern-day fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy points first to what would happen to those with a heavenly hope. Although the ten-tribe kingdom does not usually picture those with the earthly hope, the unification described in this prophecy does remind us of the unity that exists between those with an earthly hope and those with a heavenly hope. >>
The first part of this statement is just a red herring, to somehow explain why they are claiming that the joining of the stick was progressive and began in 1914 even though the other sheep were not identified until 1935 (being the second stick).
More interestingly they make a point to state that the ten tribes of Israel don't usually picture the other sheep but are now claiming that they do in this prophecy.
This may just be one more step forward to eventually stating that the other sheep are members of the spiritual Israelites (and therefore in the New Covenant with Jesus as their mediator).
