The Ultimate Intention
Laurie Penner: Throughout time, man has developed three concepts regarding his relationship with God. Let's review them.
The Factor of Time Vanishes | Laurie Penner
DeVern Frederick Fromke (1923–2016) was a remarkable individual whose life was deeply intertwined with ministry, teaching, and writing. Let me share some insights about this extraordinary man:
Background and Ministry:
DeVern was born on July 28, 1923, to Oscar F. and Huldah K. (Lind) Fromke in Ortley, South Dakota.
He graduated from Seattle Pacific College and dedicated 70 years of his life to ministry.
As a teacher and author, he traveled extensively, impacting countless lives with his God-centered message.
DeVern’s life work was characterized by a focus on God and a genuine love for people.
Legacy and Impact:
His influential book “The Ultimate Intention” revolutionized the perspective of the correct Biblical purpose of God’s ultimate vision of creating Adam and Eve. This revelation transformed the vision of the church and God’s purpose for many.
DeVern’s ministry left an indelible mark on those who encountered his teachings. His books continue to inspire and challenge readers across generations.
Personal Connections:
DeVern was well-loved and cherished by many. His humility, wisdom, and Christ-as-Life approach endeared him to those who knew him.
Spiritual seekers and believers alike found solace in his words, which pointed them toward a deeper understanding of Christ in you.
DeVern Fromke’s legacy lives on through his writings, the lives he touched, and the spiritual impact he made. May his influence continue to inspire generations to come.
The well-respected Christian theologian, Mr. Devern Fromke, once quoted,
“To live where the time factor vanishes, and the spiritual reality becomes the one outstanding reality.”
Such a quote is deserving of much thought and meditation. The following article will do just that.
Since my initial thoughts of writing this article, I have found myself in a place of great mourning. Our eldest daughter Brittany has gone home to be with her Lord. The loss of our precious baby girl has caused my world to come to a standstill. In my anguish, the Lord has increasingly allowed the ‘factor of time’ to vanish. From the first moments of her passing, I knew spiritual reality would grow into my one outstanding reality.
I am found within my Lord where my sweet girl walks the golden streets in His Glory. He indwells my earthly body, and in His indwelling, her presence is found. The truth of Galatians 2:20 has never been so clear. Clarity of death in co-crucifixion with my Lord unfolds a life within that can only be the Life of Christ. This reality solidifies in my soul daily.
In His faith, my journey here on earth continues until He says, “NOW!”
THE ULTIMATE INTENSION
In his book entitled ‘The Ultimate Intention,’ Mr. Fromke presented a perspective to consider in that a ‘correction of vision was needed.’
Throughout time, man has developed three concepts when looking at his relationship with God.
Liberal View
-where the needs of man are emphasized
-and what man can do to meet those needs
Fundamental View
-where man recognizes such needs
-and understands what God has done for man must come first
Holiness Concept
-which focuses on the work God must do in man.
The clarity that unfolds these three views is, ‘it is man they are primarily occupied with.’
Mr. Fromke continues to explain the perspective stating, “As long then as believers live in time and are centered in man’s interest, our preaching, teaching and service will be:
…man centered instead of God centered.
…redemptive and kingdom conscious instead of eternal purpose conscious.
…heaven and glory conscious (for man) instead of the ultimate satisfaction, glory and honor of God.
“God’s call to repentance was a call to metanoia, as the Greek stresses. It is a meaning of turning from sin, from old life and its pursuits. But even more a call to an utter change of mind and a new way of looking at things. True repentance must never stop short of ultimate rectification: living wholly for all that God ultimately intends.” For to live beyond the factor of time enables each believer to be in the middle of God’s ultimate intention.
To further explain, when we think of our relationship with God, redemptive sorrow may overcome our senses. We meditate on the Son coming to earth, on the price our Lord Jesus Christ paid at the Cross of Calvary. He saved us from a nature of sin, from a spirit that was dead to God and alive to Satan. We have been undeservedly forgiven and made into a new creature. The power of His shed blood purchased us and continually washes, purges and cleanses our soul of every stain, defilement and pollutant from every sin. The power of His blood gives us the right to enter heaven, to be found beyond the Veil, hidden in Christ on the right side of the Father.
Let us ponder the following questions. What if Adam hadn’t been disobedient that day? That not only did he not choose the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but instead chose the Tree of Life?
Would it still have been God’s ultimate plan for all to be found in Christ?
We can see the answer in Ephesians chapter 1. Paul explains, on an eternal level, that before God created the heavens and earth, before He created man, before Adam fell.
Consider these three statements:
Eph 1:3.. blessed us ..in Christ
:4..chosen us in Him..BEFORE ..the foundation..
:5..predestined unto adoption BY JESUS CHRIST
:6.. accepted in the Beloved
:6..gathered together all things in Christ
If Adam chose the Tree of Life he would have chosen Eternal Life, who is Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:2) He would have chosen The Source for Life to live here on earth. God’s ultimate intention would have been Adam’s daily reality. We, being his descendants, would have been born living wholly for what God ultimately intended.
It would have been what God, the Father, had intended from the beginning. For His Son to have a Body to express His Life - HIMSELF- in the world now and before all creation in the ages to come.
Let us consider:
Who: He ..verse 3
What: chose us..verse 4
How: In Him..verse 3-7,10
When: Before the foundations of the world..verse 4
Why: for Himself (for His pleasure, glory, and satisfaction)
Where: that we should be ‘before Him’ (in His immediate presence)
Adam did choose the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Sin did enter the world. Did this deter God’s ultimate intention? No! Thanks be to God! No!
In His Providence, a redemptive plan was already in place from the beginning of time. John 3:16 had already been written. “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son.”
In a previous article, I shared the years of fleshly influences that dominated Michaelangelo’s masterpiece ‘The Last Judgement.’ Through it all, Michaelangelo’s relationship with God had been stained and defiled by the dealings of others as well as himself. So much so, the artist questioned his own salvation.
In the passing of my precious daughter, I have witnessed my own flesh pass by His promise of Peace, with feelings of despair, anger, fear, doubt, and sorrow.
Putting aside ‘the Last Judgement,’ let us bring to the forefront the iconic frescoe of Michaelangelo’s earlier masterpiece ‘Creation of Adam,’ (painted before the stain of flesh.) Our Creator, portrayed with unfolded beauty, as He extends His Light and Life to His creation, Adam.
It is here that I will set my eyes. Trusting in the Lord. Satisfied in the Lord. Confident that I too have been made an extension of such Life.
John Piper has been quoted… ‘God is most glorified when you are most satisfied.’
I believe God’s ultimate intention is what dear Michaelangelo was moved to portray in ‘Creation of Adam.’ A relationship between man and God. Through His Son Jesus Christ, a union is displayed, an extension of His Life to the Body of His creation.
The spiritual reality, the reality of Jesus, comes forth, and the factor of time vanishes.