The Lord had created people to have “dominion over” his handiwork (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:6). There is certainly room for people to enjoy wine and strong drink, but being “drunk” means that you have let a created thing have dominion over you, contrary to God’s ordinance of the beginning. Further, being drunk means that you have lost control of your ability to make sound judgments (Proverbs 23:29–30) and are on a downhill run to poverty (Proverbs 23:21). The angel had earlier told John that earthlings had become drunk on the woman’s sexual immorality (i.e., letting (spiritual) adultery rule over them; Revelation 17:2). Now John observes that Babylon herself is drunk. Though she rides a beast (has dominion over it), she lets a substance “ride” her (let it have dominion over her). So she has lost her sound judgment and is headed for disaster.
6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.When I saw her, I marveled greatly.