It seems like Milton is implementing the same meduim that we've seen previous authors use. As to how revolutionary his ideas where for the time, I'm not sure... but he is definitely using an unreliable character to put forth fairly sound ideas. Life is what we make of it after all. One man's trash is another man's treasure. In this case, Satan is arguing that one man's Hell is another man's Heaven. "The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heav'n or Hell and a Hell of Heav'n." (line 254-255) There is absolutely some merit to what he is suggesting.
Satan also puts for th the idea (not unlike Faustus) that being lord over anything is better than being subject to anyone. "Better to rule in Hell, than serve in Heav'n." (line 263) Milton uses Satan as a platform to put forth this statement so that the reader can choose to dismiss it if he likes. However, (and very ironically) the reader is also unable to deny the inherent honesty of the speaker. He is Satan after all.
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