Some commentators take this to be prophetic time, that is, 360,000 literal years, basing their interpretation on the fact that these verses are symbolic, and that therefore the time period must be symbolically interpreted. Others point out that this prophecy contains a mixture of literal elements, and that therefore it is not necessary to understand the expression symbolically. This commentary takes the position that the thousand years are literal.
Bound.
The binding of the dragon is symbolic of the restrictions placed upon Satan’s activities. The wicked will have been slain at the second coming of Christ. The righteous will have been transported to heaven. Satan and his evil angels will be confined to the desolated earth; so there will be not even one member of the human race left alive on earth upon whom Satan can exercise his deceptive powers. It is in this that his binding will consist (see on v. 1).
Laid hold.
Gr. krateō, “to seize,”“to hold fast.”
Dragon … Satan.
This refers back to ch. 12:9, where the same list of names appears (see comment there).