Though
not a Bible teacher, Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek was a great Jewish
intellect, a biblical scholar, and an Israelite who was looking for the
coming of the Messiah. Kollek died at the age of 95 on January 2, 2007. I
was privileged to met him several times and speak with him about the
support Israel has from the premillennial Christians.
I first met mayor Kollek when invited to a
wealthy Jewish home in North Dallas for a confidential conversation in
1970. During the hour long discussion I reinforced for him what he
already knew--how premillennia/dispensational believers loved Israel. I
went to his open and unguarded office in Jerusalem for an additional
discussion as to how premillennial Christians, not Covenant or Reformed
believers, could further support the still young state of Israel.
Though polite about the subject, Kollek
already knew the different views of what Orthodox Greeks, Orthodox
Russians, and Catholics held about the return of the Jews to the Holy
Land. He realized that it was premillennialists, not the Covenant
allegorists, who would stand by Israel.
Kollek was brilliant in every way! He pushed
through the founding of the Jerusalem Museum which would showcase the
ancient artifacts that mirrored the truth of the existence of ancient
Israel in the Land. He became know as the modern “Father of Jerusalem.”
As mayor of the city for 28 years, he was loved by all. He often said he
was waiting for the Messiah to come and sort out problems like who can
ultimately build on the Temple Mount. He did not believe, he said, in
“forcing the Messiah’s hand” on the issue!
He held strongly to the belief that Israel
should hold on tightly to the present ultimate and final control of the
Temple Mount, “under our sovereignty,” until the Messiah comes. “Then
He, the prophesied son of David, will rule and adjudicate all issues
fairly.” Kollek was able to build a strong tourist base for Israel and
Jerusalem. However he certainly realized Jerusalem was the holy city of
David’s Son and that it held great spiritual significance for the entire
world. Jokingly he once said “For Tel Aviv, you pay but for Jerusalem
you pray!”
Kollek had great spiritual thoughts. He said
“One of my major aims for the future is the commemoration of 3,000
years since King David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom.” He
admired David “who was an attractive man, a singer, a poet. Both Jews
and Christians sing his psalms. He was a fighter, a hero; a great king
who commanded armies, but also introduced legislation.”
Because of the messianic promises, Kollek once said, Jerusalem was
the eternal, universal city. “All will be made right when the Messiah
comes,” he added. Kollek will be missed by me and many, many others.
