In any relationship, one of the key questions is, “Who’s in charge?”
If you’re an elephant, the answer is easy. African and Asian elephants live in matriarchal groups, so that cuts the possibilities in half.
The males come and go, and the group always seems to know which elder female should take the lead … the one who knows where to find food and water, usually.
Ants, on the other hand, lay fertilized eggs to produce female workers and unfertilized eggs become males.
If they need a queen, some of the fertilized eggs become queens, although nobody knows why nor how the haplodiploid process works.
Several queens are born, and they engage in a “stinging contest” to decide which one becomes the next queen, or who is more egg-laying machine than leader.
Not surprisingly, chimpanzees, who share 99 percent of our human DNA, rely on complex deception and bribery to gain power.
They build coalitions and literally kiss babies on their way to the top.
And like humans, sometimes the power struggles can turn violent.
Silverback gorillas, who also share 99 percent of our DNA are much less subtle.
They simply “slug it out” and the winner takes the top spot.
All of which takes us back to a heaven where Satan challenged God for the top spot in Creation and formed a coalition with Adam and Eve.
They all turned against the God of Creation and the battle began.
And now in Revelation the battle is coming to an end as the people of God answer the question, “Who’s in charge?”
“Lord God Almighty, how great and wonderful are your deeds! King of the nations, how right and true are your ways! Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord? Who will refuse to declare your greatness? You alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship you, because your just actions are seen by all.”
— Revelation 15: 3-4
And as the saints of God are singing their song, taken from the song of Moses when the Israelites were leaving Egypt, the seven angels are taking their seven bowls filled with God’s anger to the earth and the people of earth are answering for themselves the age-old question, “Who’s in charge?”
Charles “Buddy” Whatley is a retired United Methodist pastor serving Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville, Ga. With wife, Mary Ella, they are missionaries to the Navajo Reservation.
