Shoemaker-Levy 9 fragment H impact on Jupiter, July 18, 1994, taken by the European Southern Observatory (solarviews.com)
The Bible shows us that God uses symbolism to speak to mankind.
Whether its’s linking to key numbers like 3, 7 and 12; the use of animals like sheep, goats, lions, and serpents; actions like wiping blood on doorposts during Passover or smashing a potter’s jar to symbolize coming destruction; and then especially the use of bread and wine to symbolize Christ during communion; we know that from cover to cover the Bible shows us how serious God is about symbolism.
The Bible also points us to one of the most important areas for signs–and that is in the heavens. So, as we consider the meaning of Shoemaker Levy 9, there are some very symbolic things to consider regarding this collision with Jupiter.
Video: Remembering Shoemaker-Levy 9
The Name
Let’s consider the components of the name Shoemaker Levy 9.
In the Bible, shoes are depicted as part of showing respect for God. When Moses encountered the burning bush, he is told by God to remove his sandals because the place where he was standing was holy ground. When Joshua encounters the commander of the Lord’s army, he is told to remove his sandals for the exact same reason. Then we see in the Old Testament story of Ruth that a marriage covenant is also symbolized by the removal of a shoe. In that story, the nearest relative of Ruth removes his shoe and gives it to Boaz, thereby giving him the right to marry Ruth. For Christians, symbolism regarding a marriage covenant is important, because we are told in the New Testament that the church is the bride of Christ—and upon His return this covenant will be fulfilled.
Next, we see the word ‘maker’, which obviously needs no explanation. This is simply a synonym for God, the creator of the universe.
The name Levy derives from the Jewish Tribe of Levi, who were designated as the priestly class responsible for Levitical law and the Holy Temple. Moses was of the Tribe of Levi and brought us the Ten Commandments. As such, in this context the name Levy invokes thoughts of God’s law.
Finally, the use of the number 9 is quite telling. In the Bible, the number 9 symbolizes completeness or finality. Yom Kippur –The Day of Atonement– begins on day 9 of the Jewish month of Tishrei. Perhaps the most tragic day on the Jewish calendar is the 9th of Av, because this marks the final destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. But most importantly, Jesus died at the ninth hour, with his last words on the cross recorded as “it is finished”. He paid the debt for all mankind, and the number 9 symbolizes His completed sacrifice.
So, in the naming of Shoemaker Levy 9, we see references to respect for God, symbolism of a marriage covenant, direct calling out of God as the creator, a connection to God’s Law, and a number that symbolizes the completion of the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
The Planet
Now let’s turn to the planet itself.
Jupiter is known as the king planet. As the largest planet in our solar system, it is actually named after the king of the gods in Roman mythology. Jupiter—which literally means ‘sky father’– was the god of sky and thunder and the head deity of the Roman empire during the time of Christ.
In terms of a sign, the symbolism of this ‘king of the gods’ displaying the terrible power of a planetary impact –while a nearby earth looks on—is quite profound. And this is perhaps made more so by the fact that the observed scar on Jupiter rivaled the size of the entire planet earth.
The Back of Jupiter
The next thing to consider is – why a collision with the backside of Jupiter?
This leads me to wonder if this is possibly a foreshadowing of the potential location of the future impact with Earth as described in the trumpet judgments.
In Revelation 8, we see repeated references to 1/3 regarding the ocean as part of the description of the ‘great mountain burning with fire that is thrown into the sea’. It states that a third of the sea becomes blood, a third of the sea creatures die, and a third of the ships are destroyed. What is the possible meaning of the use of 1/3? Currently we recognize five named oceans. Of these, the Pacific Ocean is the largest and covers 1/3 of the surface of the Earth. In terms of oceans alone, however, the Indian Ocean is the third largest. Given the containment of the Indian Ocean between Africa, India, Indonesia and Australia, it is a location that seems to support limiting some impact event to 1/3 of the overall ocean.
In addition, the mid-20th century witnessed what many have called the ‘American Century’ given the dominance of the United States in the world—and so raises a question whether we might currently consider the U.S. as the ‘frontside’ of the world. The United States has certainly been at the forefront in the modern era, to the point that the United Nations makes its home in this country. As such, could this point to a future impact on the opposite side of the world?
In the end of course this is only conjecture, but I remain convinced that the SL9 impact on the backside of Jupiter has some symbolic meaning, and so this leaves me questioning the Indian Ocean as a potential location for the first two trumpet judgements of Revelation 8.
The Number Twenty-One
In addition to hitting the backside of the planet, SL9 struck Jupiter 21 times over the course of seven days.
So – lets first look at the number 21.
Again, referring to the Bible, we find that the number 21 is often interpreted as representing sin and rebellion. In 2 Timothy 3, the Apostle Paul lists 21 sins that will specifically be associated with the last days. First and Second Kings reference the sins of Jeroboam, King of the Northern Tribes, 21 times. According to one analysis, there were 21 major rebellions by the Children of Israel as they wandered 40 years in the desert. The Jewish calendar lists the 21st of the month of Nissan as the day that God parted the Red Sea and drowned Pharoh’s army.
As I considered this, my thoughts also went to the fact that there are seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowl judgements in the Book of Revelation – equaling 21 events. Perhaps the 21 impacts with Jupiter are also representative of these things.
The Number Seven
Next, the fact that these collisions spanned seven days from July 16 to the 22nd is also worth considering. If SL9 is a great End Times sign, then what comes to mind is that there is a fast-approaching time of trouble on the horizon that the Bible calls the Great Tribulation. This tribulation period is known to be seven years in length.
It is possible therefore that the seven days of SL9 are symbolic of this coming period, with the hammer blows delivered to Jupiter perhaps representative of the turmoil that will occur during those seven years.
The Number Forty
Finally, we should consider the relevance of the number 40 regarding SL9.
In the Bible we see God use the number 40 over and over again. Noah saw a downpour last 40 days and 40 nights. The Children of Israel wandered 40 years in the desert before entering the promised land. Moses met with God for 40 days on Mt Sinai. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. And forty years after the crucifixion, the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem would finally be destroyed by Rome.
The use of the number 40 in the Bible is often connected to a time of trial, testing or judgment.
When we consider SL9, I wonder if it is the Jonah story that we should consider. God sent Jonah to Ninevah to warn them of His impending judgement, and He gave the city 40 days to repent. And miraculously, this is exactly what the people of Ninevah did, to the point that they were spared God’s wrath.
In our day, I wonder about a forty-year time frame starting with the great sign of SL9 in 1994. Forty years from 1994 brings us to 2034. And we would specifically look at the time from July of 2034 to July of 2035. If we follow the Biblical model of a 40-year cycle, we would see a one-year window open beginning in July 2034, from which we would look for the start of the trumpet judgments of Revelation 8.
Still, I can only speculate about what 40 years from SL9 will signify in our time.
But it is interesting to note that a solar eclipse that occurred in 763 BC has led to the idea that this event may have reinforced Jonah’s preaching to Ninevah. And if this is true, SL9 in our day might be viewed along the same lines.
Looking at the Biblical symbolism present in the SL9 collision with Jupiter reveals some alarming imagery.
We see a planet named for the ‘king of the gods’ struck by a comet, with the ensuing destruction watched by a nearby earth for the first time in history. This comet then receives a name that includes symbolic references to respect for a Creator, a marriage covenant, and remembrance of His Law. We witness 21 impacts with Jupiter, which, in the Bible, is a number representing sin and rebellion. And then we see the use of the number 9, which is a number of completion that points to the specific hour when Jesus died on the cross.
Finally, it is possible that a forty-year Biblical cycle was triggered by Shoemaker-Levy 9 in 1994 that may very well be pointing to the start of the Book of Revelation trumpet judgments in 2034 to 2035.
This is something that should give us pause as we grow ever closer to this time…and to the tribulation period that comes before it.
But is not just Shoemaker-Levy 9 that is serving as a signpost regarding these last days. There have been other events as well…including a ‘woman clothed with the sun’ appearing in the stars.
Next – Chapter 16: A Woman Clothed with the Sun
