Another angel came: as in all instances of verbs of movement, the translator must decide on the point of reference. Here came implies that the point of reference is the altar itself, whereas “went” (Moffatt) makes the point of reference a spectator, such as the author of the book. The latter point of reference is to be preferred.
The altar: it is not certain whether this altar is the same one that appears in 6.9, which seems to be the altar of sacrifice, or is the gold altar of incense, which appears at the end of this verse. The normal rules of language make the altar different from the golden altar before the throne later in the verse; but normal rules of language do not always apply in this book. There are those who maintain that in this verse there are two altars, the altar of sacrifice and the altar of incense; others maintain that there is only one altar in this verse, the altar of incense; and there are others who maintain that this one altar, the altar of incense, is also the altar in 6.9 (the view especially of Charles’ commentary). The translator’s task is to translate quite literally the altar and the golden altar before the throne, without trying to indicate any relation between the two. “At the altar” (Good News Translation) means “in front of the altar.”
A golden censer: a censer was a small metal bowl or pan in which the incense was burned. It had a handle so that the priest could hold it and carry it to the altar. In this instance golden means that the censer was made of gold; 1 Kgs 7.50 states that all such instruments in Solomon’s Temple were made of gold. Instead of saying with a golden censer or “had a…” (Good News Translation), many translators will need to say “held a golden censer,” making it clear that the angel was holding the pan with his hand. So another way of stating the first part of this verse is “Another angel, who held a gold incense container, came….”
He was given much incense: again the passive voice of the verb indicates that God or an angel gave this angel the incense, and many translators will wish to say either “Someone gave him much incense” or “He received much incense.” For comments on incense see 5.8.
To mingle with the prayers: the Greek text says “to give with the prayers”; instead of to mingle with or “to add to” (Good News Translation), it is better to render “to offer with the prayers” (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible). The prayers of God’s people are regarded as offerings to God. The incense is added to make them acceptable to God, and they are offered on the gold altar of incense.
Saints: see 5.8.
The golden altar before the throne: this altar is the altar of incense (also in 9.13; see Exo 30.1; 1 Kgs 7.48), and the throne is the throne of God, so it may be well to say so, or to indicate by a demonstrative reference; for example, “the chief’s chair where God sits.”
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .