” Out of Babylon! ” 從巴比倫出來

胡業民
經濟與神學專欄作家
禧年經濟倫理文教基金會執行董事

Preface Shutdown: The temporary halt of busy operations

The theme of “Out of Babylon!” is of utmost importance, and Christians and friends alike have heard about the revelations in the Bible and are naturally concerned about the message of “coming out of Babylon.” Babylon is not just a city; it holds profound spiritual and practical significance. More importantly, it represents an economic system, and we need to understand the issues and core corruption within the Babylonian economy. Today, we will begin sharing insights on this topic.

There are three song lyrics that express the Christian worldview: “This world will be judged…,” “We have a story to tell to the nations, the kingdom of Christ is coming on earth…,” “My eyes have already seen the great glory of the Lord’s coming…”. These songs convey God’s ultimate plan to return to His original intent within human governance and the world of economics. Therefore, we can see that there will be significant changes in the world’s economic systems. Let’s examine and explore what God has spoken to us from 2020 to 2021.

In the past year, we all have felt it, and the entire world has felt it too. In the midst of human busyness and hustle, it suddenly seemed as if the world was on pause, as the BBC described it, on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020. It was as if the busy world had been paused. After being paused, when the world continued playing, we saw New Delhi in India become clean, Madrid in Spain also became clean, and many places, like the waters of Venice, became pure. It was as if, once humans stopped, God spoke to us through angels.

The Jubilee Year previously explored the relationship between “rest” and economic operations and development. Today, we particularly want to delve deeper into the theme of “coming out of Babylon.”

Unstoppable Acceleration

What does this world resemble? Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves once starred in the action thriller movie “Speed,” released in 1994. In the plot of the movie, a bus is constantly in motion because a terrorist has placed a timed bomb on board. This bomb requires the bus to maintain a speed of over 50 miles per hour, or it will explode. They did everything they could to evacuate the passengers on the bus so they could escape. Eventually, only Detective Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves remained to drive the speeding bus. This movie illustrates the current state of the world.

Today, the world is facing overproduction and is concerned about insufficient demand. To keep the economy running, central banks around the world have been lowering interest rates and printing money without constraints to stimulate economic activity. No one dares to slow down the global economy, as it would immediately lead to unemployment and idle equipment. People’s economic lives must not come to a halt.

However, the Bible records that God pressed the “pause button” twice in human history.

The Destiny of the Babylon System The first time the “pause button” was pressed was the shutdown of the Tower of Babel. In the Book of Genesis, it is written that when people were building the Tower of Babel, God confused their languages, making it impossible for them to continue working. This marked the first shutdown mentioned in the Bible. The second shutdown was the downfall of Babylon, referred to as Babel in the New Testament. The entire Babylon would stagnate and eventually collapse. While in Greek and Hebrew, the words Babel and Babylon appear different, in the original text, they are the same word, meaning the same thing. Babylon is simply another name for Babel.

So, what does this tell us? If we examine the economic system of the Tower of Babel as described in Genesis, we find that it was a source of great pride for the people involved. From today’s perspective, the Sumerian culture, which existed in Shinar before the time of Abraham, reached an unprecedented peak in various aspects, including cuneiform writing, art, craftsmanship, technology, and more. The people of Babel had every reason to be proud because their teams communicated seamlessly with each other, resulting in high efficiency.

However, it is essential to note that when the city and the “tower” were built together, problems arose. The top of this tower reached the heavens, and it was a colossal national project that required the people to pay a financial cost. The people had to pay with their labor and exploitation to complete this task. God was not pleased, and He confused their languages, causing the entire Tower of Babel to come to a halt.

If the Tower of Babel had not stopped, it would have inevitably formed an imperial dominance, and people would have had no rest. As we can see from our study, more than a thousand years later, human beings passed on Babel’s technology to Egypt to build the pyramids. The largest pyramid consists of 2.3 million huge stones, each weighing twenty metric tons. It required the labor of all the people, including unpaid labor, to bear the cost of this project. The project required continuous work day and night, lasting more than twenty years, and it was a generation of labor and toil to complete it. If the Tower of Babel had continued to exist to this day, the Egyptian pyramids would have been insignificant in comparison. It would be like a small waterfall compared to the Niagara Falls for those who have seen the Niagara Falls.

What happened after the shutdown of the Tower of Babel? The shutdown of the Tower of Babel was actually good news because it delayed the way a massive hegemonic power caused suffering to the people. It was not until the emergence of the Egyptian hegemony more than a thousand years later and the appearance of the Chinese Qin Empire over two and a half millennia later that human beings had a breathing opportunity. They began to disperse all over the world, going to Egypt, going to China, and later, even Abraham left Ur to go to the Promised Land. After the shutdown of the Tower of Babel, human beings had a chance to breathe and return to God’s original command. They spread throughout the earth, governed the land, and people could enjoy a time of rest to rule the world. They could enjoy God’s original design, the original governance, which was the plan of the Garden of Eden and what we can experience in the future in the new heaven and new earth.

The Sins of Babylon: The Ultimate Exploitation in International Economics So, what is the “Babylonian economic system”? As we just read in the Bible, there are several situations described in the Book of Revelation. The scenario in Revelation is that, in the end, there will be an economic system on the brink of collapse. Why is it collapsing? The Bible is very clear about it. “The merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries… Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning, and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her” (Revelation 18:3, 8). This is what we see in that scenario.

Furthermore, in Revelation 18, it describes the Babylonian economy as follows: “The kings of the earth who have committed adultery with her and shared her luxury will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, the mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your judgment has come.’ The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore.” (Revelation 18:9-11) Please note the last sentence, “because no one buys their cargoes anymore,” signifies a global international economic standstill, which is the second major shutdown.

The 1% vs. the 99%

The Bible clearly records that the first major shutdown was the halt of the Tower of Babel’s construction, and the second was the collapse of the Babylonian economy. So, what similarities exist between the collapse of the Babylonian economy and the Tower of Babel? If the Tower of Babel reached an unprecedented peak in technology at the time and people were extremely proud, I believe in the Babylonian system, in this end-time economic system, it is written more explicitly in Revelation. During that time, the economy was not stagnant; on the surface, international economics were thriving. However, it was an abnormal development. What does an abnormal development mean? The Bible states that the merchants there became wealthy due to the excessive luxury of Babylon. This means that economic prosperity in one place came at the expense of others. In other words, wealth accumulation in Babylon was uneven, which is even more terrifying. This is similar to a problem the world has encountered since 2008. During the recession, the 1% became wealthier while the 99% became impoverished, creating a stark division. The global economic development that was supposed to bring happiness became twisted. If you carefully examine Revelation chapter 18, if the outcome of this expansion and economic prosperity is that the 1% becomes very wealthy, but the 99% suffers greatly, it represents a highly distorted economic system.

The Babylon Phenomenon

In other words, technological advancements have made people proud and arrogant, indulging in conspicuous consumption, distorting trade and commerce. As a result, a connection between merchants on the ground and those in power is established, creating a transnational collusion of economic power and political leadership, not just domestically but across borders. The result of this collusion is an oligopoly, totalitarian rule, and the loss of happiness. It may appear that the so-called average GDP figures are increasing, but for the majority of the poor, due to the increasing wealth gap, this rise in average GDP is not related to the well-being of those at the bottom; instead, they suffer from exploitation, such as rising prices.

In this world, international collusion is inescapable. We know that in the Babylonian system, everything, no matter what it is, is controlled by the cloud.

Market economies are not sustainable, and environmental disasters are not sustainable either. We can say that there are two tragedies that cannot be sustained in the human world:

The first is the relationship of wealth exploitation, which leads to the collapse of the market economy and makes the world unsustainable. As I mentioned earlier, the opposition between the 1% and the 99%. When the top 20% of people become wealthy first and the remaining 80% gradually become prosperous, we consider this a normal progression. However, if the 1% becomes wealthy, leaving the 99% behind, who will they sell their products to? Wealth inequality makes it impossible for the entire economic market cycle to be sustainable, and this is a universal problem that extends beyond individual countries.

The second is the unsustainability of ecological disasters. A documentary produced by the BBC for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day is thought-provoking. It is as if we should be grateful that there was an angel who pressed the pause button, allowing us to reflect on whether our business model is right or not. Are we profiting at the expense of someone else’s economic losses, or at the expense of the exploitation of the natural environment to the point of ecological disaster? This will undoubtedly lead to various environmental repercussions, and humans will ultimately reap what they sow.

However, I must also mention a positive ending, good news. What is this good news? After the cessation of the Tower of Babel, humanity dispersed across the earth and governed it. God’s will must be fulfilled, regardless of whether we follow our own path or not. God’s will must be carried out. Likewise, in Revelation chapters 18 and 19, what happens after Babylon? After the economic collapse of Babylon in the final chapters of Revelation, a new heaven and a new earth appear. God’s governance must be implemented on earth, and the model of God’s governance must correct all the places where humanity has not honored God in governance. In other words, God has been the central axis of human development throughout human history.

Therefore, first, after the dispersion of Babel, humanity dispersed and began to govern the entire earth, leading to oppression and domination. Whether it was the Egyptian Empire or the Qin Dynasty, they emerged later. Humanity had the opportunity to breathe. Humanity was able to disperse across the entire earth and have a respite. How long did this last? Probably over a thousand to two and a half thousand years or more.

Furthermore, after the economic end of Babylon, God came to rectify and govern the new heaven and the new earth, giving us renewed hope.

Babylon: The Sum of Capitalism’s Vices and Economic Control’s Vices

Let me summarize the characteristics of the economic system from Babel to Babylon: it’s a world with many problems. In the Babylonian economic system, these problems are the sum of the vices of capitalism and the vices of economic control. Capitalism has many vices, and there are vices in an economy highly controlled by humans. Please see the Book of Revelation, the combination of these two, first, human greed. Especially through collusion, the collusion of politics and business obstructs the original rules of the market, hindering the fair flow of the market. Human greed and collusion hinder the market economy. Second, trade and commerce are called the place of fornication. Trade was originally a mutually beneficial, mutually satisfactory exchange between buyer and seller. But normal trade, which should benefit both sides and bring blessings to each other, becomes a place of fornication, which represents collusion. In collusion between politics and business, each trade act seems like a shameful act of selling one’s soul.

Babylon Is Difficult to Discern, Isn’t It?

So, from Babel to Babylon, we find that its characteristics are ubiquitous and hard to discern. I’ll say it again, is most of the international trade in the world happening in this situation, or is it only a small part? Or, are we calling on believers today to come out of Babylon, to have discernment, to see the face of the Babylonian economic system, and to live in an economic model that pleases God? I think that’s the focus of my message today.

I’ll say it again, the economic system from Babel to Babylon is like the believers in the Greek society during Paul’s time. At that time, people had to deal with the worship of idols in economic transactions. Could it be that one day, when we do business, we have to cut corners and operate dishonestly? I hope these days will come later, or, I can put it this way: believers need to have the assurance that as we live in the world today, we should live in a way that resists the Babylonian economic system. We need to live in a way that is different from the Babylonian economic system. Many times, it may seem like we are living in a mixed environment, maybe “you have a bit of me, and I have a bit of you.” When is it the situation described in the Bible? The whole Bible says this. In Luke 17:26-30, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:26-27) “Just as it was in the days of Lot. They were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building.” (Luke 17:28) It means that some things seem to be operating quite normally. The Bible goes on to say, “But on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:29) This means that business owners had some future production plans. They had expansion and operation models that seemed to be operating normally. That is to say, including believers, we are in such an environment, but it is difficult to distinguish.

At the same time, we can ask ourselves if we are caught up in it. In other words, at the moment I make a decision, I may have a good thought about the kingdom of God, but the next moment my thinking may be that of the Babylonian model. As Peter said in the previous passage, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus praised him and said, “On this rock I will build my church.” But immediately afterward, Peter saw that Jesus was going to the cross, and he said, ”

Title: Economic Design of Jubilee Sharing and the Redemption of Sanctuary Cities

(1) Jubilee Sharing Framework

Firstly, in the Bible, every third year is known as the “Year of Sharing.” During this year, we are required to share one-tenth of our resources with others. In addition to the annual tithe given to God, every three years, we set aside another one-tenth, as the Bible instructs us not to bring it to the city of Jerusalem. Instead, we are to rejoice in our local areas with the Levites, orphans, widows, and the poor, as God created the earth for people to live joyfully among its abundance. Those who are blessed and able to share with others should do so joyfully. Every third year is dedicated to sharing with others (see Deuteronomy 14:27-29).

Furthermore, the Sabbatical Year occurs every seven years, granting relief. After seven cycles of seven years, which amounts to fifty years, the Year of Jubilee arrives. What is the significance of the Year of Jubilee? It’s a mechanism for the entire economy to experience release. People can start afresh, and those in poverty can reclaim their work rights. In the Book of Leviticus, chapter 25, this economic release can be thought of as the restoration of one’s land rights. In essence, during this time, they regain the basic right to work, receiving a fresh start and a chance to restore their dignity and livelihood. This complete governance and sharing program is filled with the spirit of Jubilee. As Christians in our role as citizens in society, we should promote a spirit of sharing and govern in a way that pleases God, following the spirit of Jubilee.

What is related to the spirit of Jubilee? The Bible has a unique provision. When the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, God established a system of “Sanctuary Cities” for them. The Bible states: “On the east of the Jordan, in the wilderness, in the plains, out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with its pasturelands, from the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, and from the tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands” (Joshua 20:8). This means that Sanctuary Cities were established, including Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan, on the east side of the Jordan River. But what do Sanctuary Cities represent? These were places of refuge for those who had fallen into circumstances in society that made it impossible for them to survive. This included debtors on the run and even individuals who had unintentionally harmed others. These people could flee to these cities, where no one could pursue them until a national pardon was granted, or until the high priest passed away, after which they could leave. Otherwise, they could be captured at any time. When they reached a Sanctuary City, their lives were protected.

God’s love for people is so great that He not only promotes mutual assistance through the spirit of Jubilee but also ensures the care of society’s vulnerable, including orphans, widows, foreign laborers, and residents. Sanctuary Cities provide refuge for those even more marginalized than these groups, individuals who are on the brink of needing to flee for their lives, such as debtors. In today’s Chinese world, you can see many people trapped by online loans, becoming debt slaves. Credit cards have turned into card debts, and debts are compounding. In the end, they cannot repay their debts and are pursued everywhere, unable to live securely, with unstable job locations and vulnerable to exploitation. When they need to escape, God’s redemptive plan, which is reflected in the Sanctuary Cities, provides a last refuge. This final refuge offers hope for survival in the most dire circumstances.

(2) The Sanctuary City System Guarantees the Right to Survival for the Underprivileged

In other words, through a nation’s constitution, the right to survival for the lowest strata of society, even if they are in debt and unable to recover, must be protected. They should have their basic rights to life preserved, enabling them to continue living. This is a remarkable revelation in the Bible and a matter of human rights. This means that if we can wisely initiate a structural change, one that follows the spirit and governance model of Jubilee, the marginalized groups—orphans, widows, foreign laborers, and immigrants—will be taken care of. Additionally, in terms of design, something resembling the biblical Sanctuary Cities should be established, allowing individuals who are on the brink of not being able to survive or even contemplating suicide to continue living. We need to design such a system.

Some countries have enacted laws known as “Debt Relief Acts,” which cancel seventy, eighty, or even ninety percent of these individuals’ debts, with the purpose of allowing them to continue living. Courts can make such judgments. We are grateful for this. If we can achieve this to some extent, it’s a significant step, and we are getting closer. One day, in the new heavens and the new earth, a new governance model will emerge. This aspect is the embodiment of the spirit of Jubilee and the design of Sanctuary Cities. It represents the first step in humanity’s redemption plan to counter the Babylonian economic system.

(3) Harnessing God’s Creativity

The above discussion pertains to the macro-level systems. Now, let’s explore the micro-level. As Christians, we should be innovative and creatively engage our God-given abilities. Through our businesses, we are aware of many things that can please God. We can undertake numerous ventures that help others and bring glory to God. We should strive to develop and sustain enterprises that not only thrive but also continually run.

Conclusion: Replacing Monopoly with Sharing

I believe that we will find workable sharing models, as there are numerous models and suggestions for sharing. In the realm of business, we should wholeheartedly consider whether our operations are ethical, whether we practice compassionate management, and whether we are involved in monopolistic conspiracies. We need to be mindful of this, as God desires us to prosper, but it’s crucial that our success aligns with God’s will, is blessed by God, benefits others, looks after the welfare of consumers, and nurtures the neighboring community. This is the social responsibility of Christian enterprises.

Furthermore, at the individual level, there is a wealth of innovative thinking. Today, we have a fundamental understanding that the market is vital, and we should respect the market. The greatest problem with the Babylonian economic system is the disruption of the market order through monopolistic practices that seek to gain exorbitant profits. In pursuing self-interest, it sacrifices the welfare of others, and this is truly alarming. This is a fundamental concept. The so-called Babylonian economic system is, at its core, anti-market. As Christians, we want to create a world where the enterprises we establish please God and are satisfactory to the Christian community.

I hope that together, we can ponder and reflect on our role as believers today. What is the way forward for our economy and businesses? We might be living in a world that seems unsettling, with frequent distortions by the Babylonian economic forces that interfere with our normal operations. However, as Christians, we need to reflect, operate with compassion and ethical management, and work in ways that please God while developing businesses and economic models that can survive in this world and bear witness

前言

停工：忙碌運作的暫停

我們思想「從巴比倫出來！」這個題目非常非常重要，基督徒和朋友們聽過些許聖經啟示錄的，自然十分關心「從巴比倫出來」這樣的信息。巴比倫可以說是一個城，有靈性上和實體上重要的涵意。但是更重要它是表示一個經濟的體系，我們要了解巴比倫經濟的問題和核心腐敗，今天要從裡開始，來跟大家分享。

有三首詩歌，反應基督教的世界觀：「這世界要受審判…」「我們有一故事傳給萬邦 基督國度降臨地上…」「我的眼睛已經看見主的大榮光…」這些歌表述了上帝在我們中間，在人類治理的世界，終極要回歸神原來的旨意。因此我們看見這個世界經濟體系要有一個怎麼樣的變化？我們來看來查考，在2020年到2021年，神對我們說了一些什麼樣的話。

在過去一年當中，我想大家都感受得到，全世界的人都感受得到，在人類忙碌奔波、匆匆忙忙之間，突然好像英國廣播公司BBC說，世界好像被按了一個暫停鍵。她說這句話的時候，是在今（2021）年的世界地球日五十周年，特別感受到在這個世界地球日五十周年的時候，這個忙碌的世界被按下了一個暫停鍵。被按下來以後，這個電視影片就繼續播放出來，讓我們看見這個播放出來的世界，印度的新德里乾淨了，西班牙的馬德里也乾淨了，很多地方如威尼斯的水也清潔了…好像人類停下來之後，上帝藉著天使對人類說話的信息給了我們。

禧年曾經探討過「安息」與經濟運作和發展的關聯性。我們今天特別就「從巴比倫出來」，再來深思這個主題。

難以停止的加速度

這個世界好比什麼呢？珊卓·布拉克（Sandra Bullock）和基努·李維（Keanu Reeves）曾主演了一部警匪電影——《捍衛戰警》（英語：Speed），是一部在1994年出品的美國驚險動作電影。[1]電影劇情裡，整部奔跑中的巴士，因為被一個恐怖份子放的定時炸彈。這個定時炸彈假設速度慢下來的話，整個車子就要爆炸。這個炸彈設計要求這個車速必須不能停止，將車速控制在每小時五十英里（就是七十五公里）以上，否則車子要爆炸。那麼，他們想盡辦法來做疏散的動作，能不能讓很多乘客出去。所以最後就剩下這一個警員幹部珊卓布拉克和司機兩個人開著這輛急駛的巴士。這部電影就是在講這種情形，而這就是我們今天世界運行的一個光景。

如今世界生產過剩，惟恐需求不足，為了要讓經濟持續運作，各國中央銀行沒有制約地，便是儘量低利息、寬鬆發行鈔票，刺激經濟運轉。絲毫不敢讓世界經濟放緩，帶來立刻的人員失業和設備閒置。人們不敢歇息。

但是，人類歷史上聖經記載，上帝曾經按下了兩次暫停鍵。

巴比倫體系的命運

巴別塔的停工轉變人類發展主軸：地上霸權延緩出現

第一次暫停鍵，就是巴別塔的停工。創世記寫道，巴別塔這些人當他們變亂口音之後，無法再繼續工作，於是他們就停工，這是聖經上第一次出現停工。然後，第二次是末後的巴別塔，聖經新約叫做巴比倫，巴比倫整個會停滯、會崩潰。這個世界就是有兩種現象，但實際上是一件事情：巴別塔與巴比倫在希臘文裡面和希伯來文雖是不同的兩個字（巴別塔是希伯來文，巴比倫是希臘文），但其實在原文是一個字是同樣的意思，就是巴別的意思。

那麼，這告訴我們幾樁事情。如果我們考察巴別塔經濟的體系，巴別塔在創世記的這個經濟體系，你會發現，是非常值得他們驕傲的。因為按照現在來看，在亞伯拉罕出吾珥之前的那個地方——示拿地，蘇美文化已經是人類空前高峰，無論是楔形文字、藝術、工藝、技術等各方面都達到空前高峰。在巴別的人他們是有理由驕傲的，真是不可一世，因為還要加上他的團隊彼此溝通無礙，因此效率非常高。

但是請注意，巴別如果城和「塔」一起建立的時候，就要出現大狀況了。聖經上說，人類從該隱的時候開始就已有了城（參考創世記4:17）。人類至少有城，因此城並不稀奇，人與人互相往來的地方，市集交錯的地方，就是一個形成人聚集的一個城市。但是，城和塔放在一起，問題大了。這個塔的塔頂通天，這個塔是巨大的國家工程，讓所有子民需付上財政的代價，人民要付上勞力和被剝削的代價，來完成這個任務。神並不喜悅，因此就變亂他們的口音，以至於巴別塔整個就停工下來。

巴別塔如果沒有停工，其實將必然是形成一個帝國的霸權，人是沒有安息的。正如我們查考後來大約一千多年以後，人類把巴別技術外流到埃及做金字塔。最大的金字塔有二百三十萬塊巨大的岩石，每一塊岩石重二十公噸，需要勞動所有人民包括無償的勞工，為這工程付上代價。工程期間需日夜不休，經歷二十年以上，一世代的勞苦，才能夠完成。如果巴別塔存留到如今，埃及金字塔是不夠看的了，就像是小瀑布，看過尼加拉大瀑布的人，這真的就是小瀑布了。

巴別塔停工之後，什麼事發生了呢？巴別塔停工其實是好消息，因為這個巨大的霸權勢力造成人民困苦的方式被延緩了。直到後來，有埃及霸權出現的時候已經是一千多年以後了，等到中國秦帝國出現已經是兩千五百年以後的事。在埃及霸權、秦帝國出現之前，人類此時有一個喘息的機會，他們開始分散全地，有往埃及去的，有往中國去的，甚至後來亞伯拉罕從吾珥出發到應許之地。這就是巴別塔停工以後，對人類是一個好消息，他們回到神原來的吩咐，分散各地、治理全地，世人可以享受一個喘息，來治理大地，能夠享受上帝給他們原來的設計、原來的治理，就是原來伊甸園的計畫，也是未來我們新天新地可以經歷了一個光景。

巴比倫罪惡：國際經濟的剝削極致

那麼，什麼叫做巴比倫經濟體系呢？我們剛剛讀過的聖經，在啟示錄說了幾個情況。啟示錄的情形是，到末後有一個經濟體系，這個經濟體快要崩倒了，它整個要傾倒了。為什麼傾倒呢？聖經上有幾句話說得很明白，「地上的客商因她奢華太過就發了財。……所以在一天之內，她的災殃要一齊來到，就是死亡、悲哀、饑荒。她又要被火燒盡了，因為審判她的主上帝大有能力。」（啟示錄18:3、8）這是我們所看到的一個情況。

其次，巴比倫經濟在啟示錄第十八章這樣說，「地上的君王，素來與她行淫、一同奢華的，看見燒她的煙，就必為她哭泣哀號。因怕她的痛苦，就遠遠地站著說：哀哉！哀哉！巴比倫大城，堅固的城啊，一時之間你的刑罰就來到了。地上的客商也都為她哭泣悲哀，因為沒有人再買他們的貨物了；」（啟示錄18:9-11）請注意，最後這句「因為沒有人再買他們的貨物了」全球國際經濟停滯，這是第二次大停工。

1%和99%的對立

聖經上清楚地記載著，第一次大停工是巴別塔的塔頂停工了，第二次是巴比倫經濟要崩潰了。那麼，巴比倫經濟崩潰和巴別塔有什麼相似的地方呢？如果說巴別塔達到空前的科技巔峰，當時人極為驕傲；我想，在巴比倫體系當中，在這末後的經濟體系當中，在啟示錄裡面寫得更加明白，那個時候的經濟並不是不繁榮，國際經濟表面上是空前繁榮，但卻是畸形發達。什麼叫畸形發達呢？聖經上說，那裡的客商因她——巴比倫的奢華過度而發了財。這句話的意思是說，一個地方經濟繁盛或發達，是以其餘的地方做代價的，或者說，財富在巴比倫時候是財富累積不均，是更加可怕的。這好比類似在2008年以來全球遇見的一個問題，在蕭條時期，1%卻更加富有，也就是，人們1%跟99%的對立。全世界經濟發展原本是要高興的，我們要恭喜大家經濟發達了，我們的企業發達了、變好了，業務開展了。假使你仔細看啟示錄第十八章，如果這個開展的結果、經濟發達的結果是1%的人甚為發達，但是98%-99%的人卻極為困苦，這是非常扭曲的一個經濟體系的。

巴比倫現象

也就是說，科技的躍進讓人驕傲、狂傲至高，炫富的消費，經貿被扭曲，那麼地上的客商跟她產生一種政權上的勾結，可以說金權政治跨國的勾結，不只是國內的勾結，更是一個跨國的經濟力量的金權政治和這些政治領導緊密地勾結在一起，勾結的結果，寡頭壟斷、極權統治，幸福不再。看起來所謂平均GDP數字增加，卻是假象，因為對大多數的窮乏人來講，由於兩極分化，這個增加的平均數GDP上升跟底層人們的幸福沒有關聯，反而更受物價上漲等的剝削。

在這個世界，國際間的勾結力量是讓人無所遁逃的。我們知道，在巴比倫系統當中，你連做生意，無論做什麼，都受到雲端的控制。

市場經濟不能永績＋環境浩劫不能永績

我們可以這樣講，這裡人類世界產生兩項是不能永續、無法永續下去的悲哀事件：

第一個，是財富剝削的關係，使得世界不能永續下去。就是前面說過的，百分之一跟百分之九十九的對立。今天前百分之二十的人先富起來，後面慢慢地百分之八十的人也富起來，我們說這是一個正常的帶動。可是，如果變成百分之一的人富有，而百分之九十九的人落後在後面的時候，請問百分之一的人所生產出來的東西要賣給誰呢？這個財富的不公平使得整個經濟市場循環無法永續下去，這是普世的問題，已經不是個別國家的問題了。

第二個，就是生態浩劫的不永續。剛剛說，是財富剝削造成人與人市場經濟整個崩潰。再來就是，生態浩劫的不永續。BBC英國廣播電視所拍攝的影片在世界地球日五十周年的時候，令人感慨萬千，好像反而感謝有一個天使按了暫停鍵，讓我們能省思我們的經營模式究竟還對不對？我們是以別人的經濟損失為代價？還是，以自然環境被剝削為代價以至於生態浩劫？這當然會造成各種生態環境的反彈，人類會自食其果。

但是，我也要講到一個好的結局、好的消息。是什麼好消息呢？巴別塔停工之後，人類分散全地，治理大地。上帝的旨意要貫徹，不管你是按照自己的想法甚至偏行己路，但是上帝的旨意一定要貫徹下去。同樣地，在啟示錄第十八、十九章，巴比倫之後什麼事發生了？在啟示錄最後巴比倫經濟崩潰之後，新天新地出現了。上帝的治理要在地上落實、貫徹下去，上帝治理的模式要整個矯正所有人類在治理上不榮耀神的地方。也就是說，神其實在人類歷史上，主導整個人類發展的主軸。

因此，第一、巴別的分散後，人類分散，開始治理全地，以至於壓迫霸權，不管是埃及帝國或秦始皇帝國的延後的出現，人類可以得到喘息。人類可以分散全地得到喘息，多久呢？大概一千到兩千五百年以上。

再者，就是巴比倫經濟結束以後，神來做撥亂反正有一個新天新地的治理，讓我們重新有所期望。

巴比倫：資本主義惡質＋控制經濟惡質總和

我要再說，從巴別到巴比倫他們經濟體系的特徵，稍微可以小結一下：這是一個惡質的世界問題。在巴比倫經濟體系當中，這個惡質其實它是資本主義的惡質和控制經濟的惡質之總和。資本主義有許多惡質，在人類高度控制的經濟情況下也有惡質。請看啟示錄，這兩者的總和，第一，人類的貪婪。特別是透過勾結，政商勾結，阻礙了原先市場的法則，阻礙了市場經濟。人類的貪婪勾結，阻礙市場經濟。第二，屆時貿易，卻被稱為是成為行邪淫的場域。貿易本來是買賣雙方合意的，一定雙方都得到利益的，受祝福的，要雙方（買方和賣方）彼此都會滿意才會成交的。但是，一個正常的貿易成爲行邪淫的場域，聖經上說因為他們就行邪淫，代表勾結，人類在政商的勾結上，使得每一次的貿易行為好像一個賣身一樣的恥辱。

巴比倫難以辨識？

那麼，從巴比倫到巴別，巴別到巴比倫，我們發現一件事情：其實，有時候它是無所不在、難以辨識的。我再說，有一天，全世界大多數的國際貿易，是不是在這種情境當中呢？還是只有少部分？或者說，今天我們要呼籲信徒從巴比倫出來，我們其實要隔離，要看清楚巴比倫經濟的面貌，我們要走出一個合神心意的經濟的模式呢？我想，這是我今天信息的重心。

我再說一遍，巴比倫經濟體系好像正如保羅時代，那些人活在希臘社會當中的信徒一樣。當時人們透過經濟交易要獲取食用，吃東西一定會碰吃祭偶像之物，什麼東西都是拜過的。在巴比倫的經濟體系當中，會不會到有一天我們在做業務的時候，其實都要打擦邊球的方式呢？都要做不正派的方式呢？我希望這些日子慢一點來到，或者我這樣講，我們信徒要有一個把握，我們盼望我們今天活在世界上，要活出抗衡巴比倫經濟體系的生活方式。我們要活出一個有別於巴比倫經濟體系的生活方式。看起來很多時候是混雜生活在其間，可能「你中有我，我中有你。」什麼時候是聖經上描述的這種情況呢？聖經全文是這樣說的，在路加福音十七章二十六到三十節，「挪亞的日子怎樣，人子的日子也要怎樣。那時候的人又吃又喝，又娶又嫁，到挪亞進方舟的那日，洪水就來，把他們全都滅了。」（路17:26-27）「那時候的人又吃又喝，又娶又嫁，」好像一些事情還在蠻正常運作的。聖經緊接著說，「又好像羅得的日子；人又吃又喝，又買又賣，又耕種又蓋造。」（路17:28）意思是，業主們是有一些未來生產計畫想法的。他有擴廠經營的一些模式，看起來都還在正常營運的啊？

也就是說，包括信徒在內，我們身處其境，但是卻是難以分辨。

這還可以詢問，是不是也在我們個人身上？我作決策前一刻可能是這樣關心神國的事，可是我後一刻我的思維可能是巴比倫的思維。馬太福音彼得在前面說，「祢是基督，是永生神的兒子」，主耶穌稱讚他「教會要建立在這磐石上」；彼得緊接著看見耶穌要上十字架了，他又說，「主啊，千萬不可，這事不可臨到祢」，耶穌說，「撒旦，退我後面去吧！」所謂人類「善與惡的距離」，如此相近。彼得他一方面認出神，二方面他幾乎又攔阻神。那麼，在我們今天的身上，我們活在一個好像正常運作的體系當中，我們有沒有分辨哪些是合神心意的「行公義、好憐憫，存謙卑的心，與神同行」的一個世界？還是，我們同時又受到巴比倫經濟體系運作的影響，到處充滿了壟斷勾結這些神所不喜悅的事情。

抗衡巴比倫體系

基督教抗衡巴比倫體系：信徒相通

我們今天要分享從巴比倫出來。我想，有幾個領域讓我們來做一些初步的思考，來思考這件事情。

對於我們今天的人來講，教會對抗巴比倫體系有一些故事發生。就是說，一個在控制的經濟之下，在一個腐敗的經濟體系當中，歷史上的基督徒他們是如何地辨識以及對抗巴別塔經濟體系呢？我特別要指出來，在公元後五百年，就是基督開始後的第一個五百年，基督教翻轉了整個羅馬帝國。基督教翻轉整個羅馬帝國不是因為康斯坦丁做夢夢到十字架或打了勝仗，基督教翻轉羅馬帝國是因為基督教的愛心和合一的力量，特別是經濟上愛心合一的力量撼動了整個羅馬帝國。也就是說，信徒相通，信徒能互相濟助。縱使經濟有霸權存在、在經濟的波動之下，他們以相愛度過了難關，信徒互相幫補的方式抗衡了經濟困境。早期教會文獻找出來，在最早的羅馬教會，他們造冊供養了當時的寡婦有一千五百人。教會規定，聖經條件是要六十歲以上，要沒有家人來撫養她，沒有適當的親人撫養她，才由教會來做。這是多大的慈善事業，這是所有當時政府做不到的。也就是說，當時還是一個地下教會的時代，他們能夠信徒相通，這樣的愛滲透到羅馬帝國每一個角落，這是造成整個羅馬帝國翻轉的原因。教會對抗巴比倫或一個不理想的經濟體系是這樣運作的，包括碰到經濟大的波動、碰到無能為力的時候，信徒相通完成這樣對抗巴比倫的經濟體系，得以存活。

經營生活的抗衡表率

人類工業革命以後，受到社會扭曲的衝擊。很多基督教團體成立合作社的組織，以合作社的組織來抗衡經濟的霸權。特別是許多小教派，他們特別對經濟生活的合一做了美好的見證。在英國的貴格會，他們是最早生產出最好的巧克力、最好的餅乾，甚至英國女王都吃他們的巧克力，用他們的餅乾。那個餅乾盒真是漂亮！這裡告訴我們一件事情，他們甚至讓他們貴格會的弟兄姊妹成為供應鏈的一部分，生產最好的巧克力、最純的巧克力、最好的餅乾，非常的傑出，這是他們表現出一個非常傑出、美好的見證。

檢驗人心的壟斷思想

我再說一遍，在這個世界的這種紛雜當中，今天似乎我們信徒們也都被巴比倫系統所圍繞，正如保羅時代希臘祭偶像之物到處充斥，我們今天活在一個到處充斥了巴比倫思維的一個經濟生活模式當中。但是我們要分辨，哪些是屬神、討神喜悅的，又哪些是巴比倫的結構。通常巴比倫的結構，是以壟斷方式，排除別人的機會為凸顯。即使在基督徒只是一時之間，我剛剛說過，在我們同樣一個基督徒的身上，前一刻和後一刻，由於對真理不夠練達，我們可能前面是一個好的思維，但是後面卻是一個巴比倫的經營模式的思維，前一刻和後一刻的想法都可能不同，都參雜了巴比倫的模式，譬如說，我們在經營企業的時候會不會去追求壟斷的利潤呢？甚至官商勾結排除別人的機會呢？

各國重視反壟斷交易

那麼，我們再看看，近代反壟斷有哪些重要的事情發展？美國反托拉斯法（就是反壟斷法）通過之後，美國有一個很大的公司，叫做電信電纜公司（AT&T），他大到一個的地步，大概佔了國家當時市場佔有率大約百分之三十以上的時候，立刻啟動反壟斷法，要求這個公司一分為四。這是何等的智慧，是符合公平競爭的宇宙法則，近代很多公平貿易的法案是這樣出來的。我相信，在中國大陸現在也在發展這樣的法案。

今（2020）年七月底的時候，五大科技巨頭，包括臉書、谷歌等五大科技巨頭，他們的CEO們一起被召集在網路上接受眾議院對他們連續質詢五到六小時，因為眾議院整理了一百三十萬份的檔案控訴他們有進行壟斷的行為。譬如app的壟斷，各方面的壟斷，以至於表面上是為了營運，但實際上卻排除別人參與的機會。另外舉例，我們身邊所看到的7-11這種連鎖商店在各個國家，特別是東南亞國家非常充斥，到處都是7-11，從早上七點到晚上十一點。當7-11佔據各個地方，雜貨店就消失了。7-11出現之後，慢慢地，銷售網路在他手上了，最後造成壟斷，結果消費者和廠商其實沒有得到利益，卻將一切利潤貢獻給了中間的大環節，有書撰寫「血汗7-Eleven」。

教會經濟生活當中，就可以有很多的對策。歷史讓我們看見，無論是合作社的運動、溫和的社會主義，用一個對抗霸權經濟的影響，以慷慨分享為主的教會生活來過當今的日子。我們也在今天這個時候，我們是用反腐敗的這種心情來觀察周圍這些可能不討神喜悅的種種現象，以至於我們可以看到神在我們中間極大的作為。

我願意以幾個方式更積極推出，基督徒在經濟生活上怎樣與神同行。我們來看一些更有效的方向和做法。

首先，我們要瞭解巴比倫的經濟體系不是神所喜悅的，這個世界是要受到審判的，但是神的治理、神的計畫是要落實的。正如巴別塔不討神的喜悅，但是神的心意要貫徹，讓人這樣分散全地、治理大地。那麼，巴比倫經歷不討神喜悅要受審判，我們必須認識這些事情之後，我們就想要建立一個新的制度治理模式。基督徒要有一個新的治理模式的出現。什麼叫做「新的治理模式」呢？「新的治理模式」就是以大我、一個禧年的精神，禧年的經濟體系就是符合「行公義、好憐憫、存謙卑的心，與神同行」。那怎麼樣是一個全套的治理計畫呢？禧年最大的特色就是說，我們每一段時間，在經濟運行上設立調整、分享的機制。如何調整呢？亦即：分享年、小安息年、大安息年，加上「逃城」的設計。

解方：禧年分享的經濟設計加上逃城拯救

（一）禧年分享的架構

首先，聖經每三年的末一年是為「分享年」。我們拿出十分之一來跟人分享；除了每年的十分之一貢獻在神的面前之外，我們每三年撥出十分之一來，聖經上說，你不要帶到耶路撒冷城來，在當地跟你當地的利未人、孤兒寡母和窮乏人一起歡樂，因為神造大地是要人活在大地很多的喜悅當中。這些富有的能夠跟別人分享的人，是要拿出來高高興興地跟人分享。每三年的末一年拿出十分之一來跟大家分享。（參考申命記14:27-29）

然後，小安息年是每七年一次的豁免年。經過七個七年之後，每五十年，就是大安息年、大禧年。大禧年是什麼意思呢？是整個經濟獲得釋放的機制，人們可以重新啟動，窮乏者拿回其工作權。舊約利未記25章，經濟的釋放可以說是拿回他的土地。聖經上的意思就是，當時他會得到一個基本工作的權利，他得到一個小小的鐵飯碗。在這個生計當中，他重新出發，恢復人該有的榮耀，安居樂業。這是用禧年的精神，禧年全套治理分享計畫，充滿了分享的元素。我們基督徒在我們信徒中間，在我們所作為一個公民社會當中，我們要推動一個分享的元素，以禧年的精神來推動討神喜悅的治理模式。

與這個禧年精神相關的是什麼呢？聖經上有一個特殊的安排，就是，當以色列人進到迦南地以後，神為他們設計一個「逃城」。什麼是「逃城」呢？聖經上說，「又在約旦河外耶利哥東，從呂便支派中，在曠野的平原，設立比悉；從迦得支派中設立基列的拉末；從瑪拿西支派中設立巴珊的哥蘭。」（約書亞記20:8）就是說，在約旦河東邊，包括比悉、基列的拉末、巴珊的哥蘭都設立的逃城。逃城是什麽意思呢？凡是那些社會上落到不容許生存的人，包括逃債跑路的、甚至誤傷人的，他逃命逃到這裡來，別人就不能追殺他，一直到國家特赦，一直到大祭司死的時候，他們才可以出來，要不然別人可以隨時去抓他的。但是他只要逃到逃城去，他就得以保全他的性命。

上帝愛人愛到一個地步，不但是透過禧年的精神互相濟助、互相救助孤兒寡婦、外勞寄居者，社會的弱勢在這裡被照顧到，這是禧年的精神，充滿了分享的快樂。那麼，逃城是什麼呢？逃城是比這些孤兒寡婦、外勞寄居者還要更低一層的人，他們幾乎是要逃命的人，他們是躲債的人。今天這個華人世界，你可以看到好多人沉於網貸成為債奴，因為信用卡變成債奴，然後以債滾債，結果他還不起了，他到處被追蹤，到處不能生活，他的工作地點不能安定，到處容易被剝削。當他到處逃的時候，聖經救贖的神，出於憐恤為人曾經設立一個逃城的救贖，就是給人一個最後的救贖，在這最後的救贖當中，人還有一個活下去的指望。

（二）逃城制度保障底層人的生存權

或者說，透過國家的憲法保障這社會底層人的生存權，即便他欠債無法翻身還要保障他基本生活的權利讓他能夠活下去。這是不得了的聖經啟示和人權！就是說，如果我們夠智慧以一個大我的結構性改變，就是我們以禧年的精神，禧年的治理模式，讓弱勢的族群，孤兒、寡婦、外勞、寄居者，都得到照顧。另外，在設計上，類似聖經上逃城的救贖，讓這個社會幾乎是活不下去的人，幾乎要瀕臨自殺邊緣的人，他們可以活得下去。我們要設計這樣一個制度。

有的國家是用立法通過「消除債務條例」，讓這些人的債務百分之七十、八十、百分之九十全部「勾銷」掉，目的是讓這個人能夠活下去，法院可以有這樣的判決。真是感謝神！如果能夠做到這個地步的話，這是第一步，但是我們接近了。有一天，我們在新天新地裡面，有一個新的治理模式出現，這一部分是禧年精神和設計逃城，最後人類的救贖計畫就是抗衡巴比倫經濟體系的第一個步驟。

（三）發揮神的創造力

再來，就是在小我的方面。剛剛是大我的制度面，第二個是小我方面。我們基督徒要創新，具有豐富創新的新意，藉著神給你我創造的能力，藉著我們在商業活動當中，我們知道很多可以討神喜悅的東西，我們可以做很多可以幫助人的事業，我們在可以榮耀神、幫助人的事情上，我們就多去發展。願神幫助我們不但能夠發展，而且企業能夠不斷的運行，不斷能夠運作下去。

結語

以分享代替壟斷

我想，我們會找到一些可行的分享模式，分享的模式和建議很多，也有很多方法。在企業方面，我們打從心裡就要想到，我是正派經營、愛心管理、不參與其他的壟斷勾結。這要很注意，神希望我們能夠發達，可是我們的發達成功是不是在神的旨意當中？是不是在神的祝福當中？是不是在幫助人、造就人、照顧周圍的消費者、造就鄰舍社區的這樣子的中間發達？還是，以破壞環境、破壞別人的生存空間而得到的發達呢？這是基督徒企業的社會責任。

再者，就是個人方面。個人方面也是充滿了創新的思維。我覺得，今天我們有一個基本的認識，就是市場是重要的，我們也要尊重市場。其實，巴比倫經濟體系最大的問題，就是破壞市場秩序造成壟斷，希望獲取暴利，為了追求利益，犧牲別人的福利，這是很可怕的。這是根本的觀念，所謂巴比倫經濟體系正是反市場。身為基督徒的我們要建立一個世界，我們希望我們所創造出來的企業是討神喜悅的，甚至是合乎基督徒社群當中，我們渴想滿意的。

我希望大家一起來思想，一起來反思，我們作為今天的信徒，我們的經濟、企業的出路何在？我們可能活在一個讓人不安、變化萬千的世界，甚至活在一個時不時出現有巴比倫的扭曲的經濟力量，干擾我們的正常營運。但是我們基督徒一起來反思，用愛心、用正派經營、愛心管理的方式討神喜悅，以及，這樣子的經濟企業是不是能夠在這個世界上存活，為主作見證。如果我們存活了、成功了，那麼我們可以說是，無論是大我，無論是小我，無論是教會的連結，或是個人創新方面，我們其實走出一條路出來了，是要有敏感度，是與巴比倫經濟體系互相抗衡的。有一天，我們要為我們在這裡所做的所有一切，在神面前得主的賞賜，得見主的榮耀。或者可以這樣說，我們今天要推動的、想要成立的，是一個國度事業、國度公司的觀念，是一個大使命公司的觀念。希望我們推動的企業，在國度使命上、在神的大使命上有份，最後被神誇獎。今天在世界各地，很多人有共同的心聲，也呼應基督徒這樣一個呼召，假使這樣的話，我們結合這些同伴，一起來抗衡巨大的巴比倫經濟的思維。

發展財富成為別人的祝福

希望前面所說的，在大我和小我的領域上，我們能夠正派經營，反托拉斯壟斷，增加神給我們的智慧所創造出來的財富，以至於成爲別人的祝福，願神幫助我們。我想，眾弟兄姐妹，如果有關於這樣的議題，我們繼續來分享切磋。我們來看到上帝怎麼樣藉著我們突破這個結構上的邪惡。今天全世界的經濟體系，可說是有一種結構上的邪惡，就是巴比倫的經濟體系是不討神喜悅的地方。身為基督徒，透過我們的救援，透過我們社工，透過我們一個社會責任，我們希望建立這樣一個討神喜悅的經濟生活模式和經營方式。如果人類不這麼做的話，我相信，神還會繼續管教我們。

期待在更美的新天新地

最後，我以信徒的自處來做結束。首先，就是我們要建立一個抗衡巴比倫的經濟生活體系，迎接新天新地神所喜悅的治理。今天在新天新地到來之前，我們要以這樣的生活討主的喜悅，也得到主的賞賜。第二，我們要建立信徒彼此相通、相互濟助的經濟支援系統。那麼，即使外面的經濟世界是波動的，許多霸權的影響力像巴比倫的經濟模式鋪天蓋地而來，但是神給我們足夠的力量來抗衡。

最後用詩篇25篇18節作為結束，「求你看顧我的困苦，我的艱難，赦免我一切的罪。」我們活在罪人當中，和以賽亞先知一樣，我們是不潔淨的人，是活在不潔淨的人中間，但是神卻讓我們今天可以立足在此地，分辨並且活出抗衡巴比倫經濟體系的模式。這樣的話，我們就可以說是從巴比倫城出來。從巴比倫城出來，不是指有形的城市，在啟示錄指的是一個龐大的（國際）經濟的體系，一個政商恐怖的勾結，甚至與宗教靈性世界力量勾結在一起的力量。讓我們一起來抗衡，在這末世討神的喜悅！

[1] 參考資料：https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%94%9F%E6%AD%BB%E6%97%B6%E9%80%9F