I'm doing a study on the 7 trumpet judgments in Revelation.
Revelation 9:1-12 Describes a demonic horde of locusts like creatures being released from the abyss, or bottomless pit. They have a king or leader over them called;
"Abaddon or Apollyon' which means "Destroyer".
A possible reference or comparison to these locusts creatures is found over in Joel 2: 4-10.
Their function is that they should not kill but torment. They do not harm nature but torture men. These creatures will do this for 5 months (literal locusts have a life span of around 5 months from spring to fall). John wrote that during this event men will seek death and not find it. These demonic locusts creatures are compared to scorpions with stings in their tails capable of inflicting excruciating pain. People seeking relief from this tormented misery by committing suicide will be impossible. Death will not be found.
The "Dispensational Interpretation" view is that the 144,000 Jewish remnant who have the seal of God upon their foreheads are protected or exempt from the 5 month torment inflicted upon the human race by the demon creatures.
The descriptive characteristics of horses, chariots, lions, men, and scorpions seem to demonstrate that the locusts may not be literal, but symbolic, but nonetheless real because of their figurative character. Some scholars believe the angel of the abyss is a being other than Satan, while another group agree that they are one and the same being.
I tend to shy away from the dispensation view or a pre-trib rapture. If the above future events are literally going to occur, and we are here in the midst of this onslaught of horror being exhibited; Ephesians 1:13 says, "we are sealed in Him" meaning that we would not be tormented by the demonic locusts creature stings, but would witness this hell being unleashed on the unsaved.
Please offer any further comments to help me further digest the 5th seal of Revelation chapter 9 if you are available to do so. Thank you!