Context
Revelation 22:8-9 should be read within the flow of its chapter and the larger argument of Revelation.
Common Interpretations
He receives worship without redirecting it. When ordinary angels are worshipped in Scripture, they immediately correct it — "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant" (Revelation 22:8-9). The Malak Yahweh never does this. He accepts the homage. He is identified as God by the text itself. In multiple accounts, the narrative begins with the Malak Yahweh appearing and ends with the text simply calling him God — no transition, no explanation, as if they are one and the same. Those who see him fear death for having seen God. This is the consistent response of those who encounter him — not "I have seen a messenger" but "I have seen God and I will die" (Judges 13:22). No one in Scripture says this after encountering an ordinary angel.
Current Position
This site's current position is that Revelation 22:8-9 supplies an important contrast for the Angel-of-the-LORD passages. Ordinary angels reject worship immediately and identify themselves as fellow servants. That contrast matters because the Angel of the LORD passages do not read that way. The difference is one of the reasons this site concludes those encounters are not ordinary angelic appearances.