The Abomination of Desolation - St. Marys Coptic Orthodox Church

SIGNS OF HIS COMING 25
tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and
their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over
them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the
Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name
Apollyon. (Rev 9:1-11)
The star that fell from heaven is probably a fallen angel who was given
permission to open the bottomless pit. In apocalyptic literature, the
bottomless pit is a place where evil spirits are temporarily detained and
punished. When Christ exorcized the man that had a legion of demons,
the evil spirits besought the Lord not to send them to the bottomless
pit, but rather give them permission to enter into the swine. (Luke 8:31)
Most commentators are agreed that the locusts symbolize demons
that are unleashed to torture the people who do not have the seal of
God (the elect).
Most likely, those locusts are demons; evil spirits ruled by Satan.
They are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion. God limits
what they can do; they can do nothing without His permission.
Their main purpose on earth is to destroy, prevent or distort
people’s relationship with God. Because they are in a corrupt and
degenerate state, their appearance reflects the distortion of their
spirits. In the Old Testament, locusts were symbols of destruction
because they destroyed vegetation, here, however, they symbolize an
invasion of demons, called to torture people who do not believe in
God. 1
The context shows that the plague is an eschatological calamity that
transcends the familiar plagues of locusts. John lists eight
characteristics that show that these locusts are fantastic diabolical
creatures; demons that will torture people that do not have the seal
of God. 2
The locusts symbolize spiritual torments inflicted by demons. 3
1 Life Application Bible: Footnotes on Revelation
2 The Jerome Biblical Commentary
3 Jerusalem Study Bible: Footnotes on Revelation