This forecast is published to benefit not the church alone but 'Assyria' and her allies also, and even their enemy. This prophecy is given for the benefit of all peoples living during the time a religious compact is enacted. Tract 14, p 16
There are two classes of Christians in the latter days of this earth's history. The final destiny of each will be portrayed after they have been tested by an event called the "Assyrian Confederacy". At the end of this confederacy, the larger class represented as the antitype of ancient Assyria, the Christians who make void God's law will fall when they lose their stronghold in Jerusalem while they are engulfed in a gigantic war. Tract 14, p. 22
The smaller class, represented by the ancient tribe of Judah, God's true church of our modern times, is to be exalted. The sinners, the tares, in her midst are to be permanently removed.
This confederacy or compact is the beginning of the 666 Mark of the Beast. The 666 begins in stages, not all in one day. It takes some time. If people think the confederacy is harmless, perhaps even a good thing, then unless they study and open their eyes to God's gracious truth, they will have no problem taking the 666 Mark of the Beast of Revelation Chapter 13 in the Christian Bible. Rod,
In reference to the Shepherd's Rod, V.T. Houteff
