Brother Singh briefly reviewed 2 Timothy 2:20:  "In a great house {Christ's Church} there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth; some to honor, and some to dishonor." The church can be viewed as a citizenship school for future citizens of the kingdom of God.  Absenteeism from school is not conducive to an ideal learning experience.  These sorrows are the birth pains of the soon coming of the kingdom of God. Judgment is falling on the ungodly world, and parallel chastisement is falling on the church. We need to purge our vessels, preparing ourselves for the hard times ahead.