"I am more inclined to accept the temporal dimension of the 1000 year symbolism. I don’t really see how you can avoid it: the ending of persecution, the defeat of the imperial ideology, the collapse of Rome as a political force, all marked the beginning of a new age for the people of God."

Question: In as much as Christians are still persecuted (China & Africa), imperial ideology still exists (USA), and political forces battle against the compassion and forgiveness of God (everywhere), can we really say that a new age as begun?  It seems that Satan has been bound but not defeated.  Through Christ, the nations can no longer be deceived, God’s ways have become clear.  So, yes a new age has begun.  But, as above, not all of the manifestations of satan have gone away.  In fact, there seem to be some new ones (consumerism, individualism, etc.).  So, no a new age has not yet begun.

Many explain this as the "already, not yet" of eternal life.  In Christ, we have already been ushered into God’s kingdom, but it is not yet complete.  In other words, Satan is bound, but not dead.