Chapter
Verse
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Revelation 8:3

ESV And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,
NIV Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.
NASB Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.
CSB Another angel, with a golden incense burner, came and stood at the altar. He was given a large amount of incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar in front of the throne.
NLT Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.
KJV And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
NKJV Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

What does Revelation 8:3 mean?

In this verse John tells us he saw another angel stand at the altar with a golden censer. Although some interpreters identify this angel as Christ, there is no explicit reason to think this must be Jesus. This eighth angel received much incense to offer at the golden altar. Along with the incense were the prayers of the saints. Likely these prayers ascend to heaven from the tribulation believers. Perhaps they are praying for deliverance from their trials or for grace to enable them to withstand them.

In Old Testament times Israel's high priest would take hot coals from the bronze altar of burnt sacrifice, add incense, and carry the burning incense to the altar of incense inside the holy place (Leviticus 16:12–18). The smoke from the burning incense would ascend heavenward, symbolizing the prayers of the people who gathered outside during this event. Luke 1:8–11 portrays the priest Zechariah offering incense at the altar of incense while the people outside prayed.
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