What does the binding of Satan for 1000 years represent?
Revelation 20:1-3 states that an angel came down from heaven, seized the dragon who is Satan and bound him with a great chain for 1000 years. Some think Satan will be bound for 1000 years when Jesus returns for his 1,000 year reign prior to the Last Day. They suppose this will be a time when many people will believe in Jesus now that he is reigning visibly on the earth. This is false. Jesus is coming only one more time visibly and that will be on the Last Day.
The great chain that binds Satan is Jesus’ death on the cross, resurrection on the third day, and ascension into heaven. Jesus overcame the power of death which is the wages of sin. Believers no longer fear dying because Jesus’ death on the cross removed all their sins. Believers do not need to see Jesus to know that He is with them always.
The 1000 years Satan is bound is symbolic and not literal. God uses 1000 to symbolize completeness of a most perfect era. It is derived by cubing the number 10 which is the number of perfection and completion. This era began with Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection and will continue until the Last Day. It is also described as the End Times. Only God knows when the Last Day will come.
Believers must always be prepared for the Last Day and not let false teachings lead them away from clinging to God’s word. Believers are sure of their salvation and eagerly look forward to the last day with the assurance of their eternal life. It will be a joy to hear Jesus say to all believers on the last day, “Come, see your new home I have prepared for you.”
-Also see: Psalm 90:4, Joel 2:28-32, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:1-21, Rev. 20:1-3