"Then he said to me, 'Write. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God'. And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that you do not do that, I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' "(Revelation 19:9,10)
"Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, 'See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.' " (Revelation 22:8,9)
spirit- general meaning or intent (one of many definitions in Webster's)
It seems that the reason prophecy comes is to reveal to the church Jesus' testimony; what His calling was; so that the church may become like the "brethren" mentioned.
"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; and he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification." (1 Corinthians 14:1-5)
Prophecy comes by the will of the Father, by the quickening of the Holy Spirit, to edify, exhort and comfort the church to/in the testimony of Jesus. I think I can say this is His intent: to HAVE the testimony of Jesus!
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