‘And from the smoke locusts came out on the earth, and power was given to them as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was said to them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree but only such men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.'
The description of then as ‘locusts' connects with the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 10:12) but there the likeness ends. These are not here to devour fields and grain, but to attack men directly like flying scorpions. But the attack is only to be upon such men as are not sealed by God. Thus will men as a whole undergo great spiritual tribulation. They are spiritual foes and will not therefore be visible. Men may well be unaware that these evil spirits are involved in what happens to them.
Again we are not told how widespread this would be. It would not necessarily be worldwide. They are described in terms of scorpions because of the fear in which the scorpion was held (Deuteronomy 8:15; Ezekiel 2:6), almost unseen and then stinging viciously. John's use of the descriptions of scorpions and serpents (Revelation 9:19) has in mind that Jesus had given to His own the power to ‘tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the Enemy' (Luke 10:19). That is why these creatures cannot hurt those who have been sealed, the people of God (Revelation 7:3), they are protected by the power of Christ.
‘It was said to them'. Again the indirect language points to God as the source. These too are, in the final analysis, under God's control.