These verses make it clear that these creatures are not
ordinary locusts, and are only called such because of their
function in judgment. The emphasis is on the capacity to
torment and to cause pain.
In their description, John lists eight things about their
appearance. He begins with the head and moves backward to
their tails, the source of their power to inflict torment
for the five months. The description of these creatures
defies imagination, but remember, these are demonic
creatures that have come from the abyss. They are the worst
of the demons of Satan. Whether they take on this form as a
demonic-like apparition, or just what happens here we are
not told. However, they will be real and will inflict
terrible torment upon humanity. It will be a literal hell on
earth.
The king over the demons is of course Satan. He is called
the “angel of the abyss” because he is a fallen angel and
because of his own relation to the abyss and to those within
it. They are there because they followed his rebellion, he
is given the key to release them and he will be bound there
himself.
