1. Revelation 17:6 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean that the prostitute's was drunk “with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus”?

Revelation 17:6 (ESV)

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.

The “wine” that intoxicates her is blood, specifically the blood of saints. These saints are her victims, and scoring another victim intoxicates and excites her. These victims are spiritually killed when they fall for her enticements so as to seek their joy and fulfillment not in the Lord God but in created things (possessions, health, marriage, freedom, good job, etc.) and so deny the Lord. Alternatively, those who refuse to bow before her wishes may end up paying the ultimate price and become martyrs for the faith (Revelation 6:9).