Chain is derived from the old French word chaine and the Latin cateria. It is variously defined as to twist or twine, to confine, as anything that ties, binds, or restrains, as a series of things connected logically or physically such as a chain of events, to fasten or shackle. There are tire chains, chains of love, chained lightning, chain smoking, chained by circumstances, chain link fences, chain gangs, chain saws, key chains, etc. Chains bring up visions of prisoners on chain gangs in orange jump suits shackled hand and foot. I have been in courtrooms and have seen such shackled men on trial. This is in sharp contrast to those from wealthy or privileged classes that appear in court in business suits. Some chains have useful purposes other than restraint, but the usual connotation is that of willing or unwilling obedience.
There are other applications of the word chain. We have chains in chemistry consisting of long chain molecules such as those derived from petroleum, which are long chain hydrocarbons. There are many synthetic chain molecules such as plastics. Most of our food is composed of long chain molecules constructed by plants. Through the mysterious process of photosynthesis, plants combine carbon dioxide and oxygen into complex carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins. Carbohydrates such as starch and some sugars are digestible, while cellulose and certain sugars are not digestible. Artificial sugars which are not digestible have been produced synthetically. Termites are equipped to digest cellulose through a symbiotic relationship with certain bacteria. In fact, not long ago an experiment was performed in which a culture of this bacteria was ingested into cattle, and they were able to digest and thrive on a diet of sawdust.
One of the most famous chain molecules is DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). This is a double chain molecule in the shape of a spiral which contains the hereditary genetic factors called genes. These are contained in protein molecules called chromosomes which in turn are composed of chain molecules called amino acids. These complex molecular chains determine who we are and account for the wide diversity of animal and plant life.
The Bible states that we are all spiritually chained, This is likened to the servitude of slavery. We are told that to whom we choose to serve, to that one we are a slave. We may choose to be slaves of Satan by a life of sin and rebellion, or we may choose to be slaves of God by obedience and willing service. "The fall of our first parents broke the golden chain of implicit obedience of human will to the divine" (E.G. White, Manuscript Releases, Vol. 6. pp 337-339). How important it is that, since we are all chained, we be chained by the "Golden Chain."
