#970

Black Sabbath to White Robes - Is Ozzy In Heaven?

A Common Saying

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “bad things happen in threes” or some variation on that. I always hear that when one celebrity dies there will be two more in quick succession. I always wondered if there was any truth to this so I found an article that gave me some examples of it happening. Here are examples of celebrity deaths that happened in sets of three:

Kelly Preston, Naya Rivera, Regis Philbin (July 2020); Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain, Jackson Odell (June 2018); Prince, Chyna, Doris Roberts (April 2016); Tony Gwynn, Casey Kasem, Ruby Dee (June 2015); Burt Young, Richard Roundtree, Matthew Perry (October 2023); Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon (June 2009); Alan Thicke, George Michael, Carrie Fisher (December 2016)

The article noted the history for this superstition:

The celebrity deaths rule of threes is one of those internet conspiracies that may make you think, “There’s no way this is an actual thing that happens. It’s all coincidental!” Yes, it may be, but after doing a bit of research, we’re pretty convinced.

Of course they then went on to say they think there’s something to it:

The rule alleges that celebrity deaths happen in threes, meaning that when one star dies, two more will shortly follow. Of course, we know this doesn’t happen all the time but for all you skeptics out there, we have concrete proof — or rather, some pretty good examples — of the celebrity death rule of threes phenomenon.

And then suggested the three modern deaths that started the rumors:

It’s believed to have started when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash together all the way back in 1959.

Which brings us to this week.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Ozzy Osbourne, Hulk Hogan

Warner died on July 20th by accidental drowning. Then on July 22nd hard rocker Ozzy Osborne died from heart issues and Parkinson’s Disease. Sure enough on July 24th WWE legend Hulk Hogan died of cardiac arrest. While everyone talks about Warner, Osbourne, and Hogan, I don’t think a fan of Chuck Mangione feels so good about his death being overlooked, all because so much attention is being paid to the other three. But I digress. The point is that this misconception continues on regardless of evidence to the contrary. I like how another article counters this thinking:

The belief that bad luck comes in threes has captivated our imaginations for centuries. From its mathematical symbolism to its prevalence in folklore, the number three holds a significant place in human consciousness. However, upon closer examination, the superstition lacks empirical support and is likely a product of psychological biases and cultural influence. While superstitions can offer temporary comfort, it is important to approach misfortune with rationality and resilience. By doing so, we can navigate life's challenges with a clear mind and a steadfast belief in our ability to overcome them. Remember, the next time you find yourself experiencing a series of unfortunate events, rather than attributing them to the belief in bad luck coming in threes, embrace the power of your own agency and take proactive steps to turn the tide in your favor.

However, as a Christian I prefer to see these strings of deaths another way.

Did They Die As Christians?

Social media is replete with sincere believers raising the question: did these celebrities die knowing Jesus as their savior. And just as prevalent are those who decry the very notion that Ozzy Osbourne was a Christian of any stripe simply because of the way he lived getting to the point. And to be fair, they have a good point. Osbourne was notorious for living far from being a choir boy as we read in an article about him from Britannica.com:

Ozzy Osbourne (born December 3, 1948, Birmingham, England—died July 22, 2025, United Kingdom) was a British musician who gained a loyal following as the vocalist for the 1970s heavy metal group Black Sabbath before embarking on a successful solo career in the 1980s. Cultivating a rebellious, satanic persona as “the Prince of Darkness,” Osbourne became the quintessential metal front man, known for his “shock rock” antics onstage and his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction in his personal life… To avoid confusion with another band of the same name, the group changed its name to Black Sabbath—after an old Boris Karloff movie. The group developed a grinding, ominous sound, based on the blues but intensely amplified, and drew attention with its tendency to reference the occult in its lyrics… A defining moment in Osbourne’s career came on the tour for the album, when, thinking that someone in the audience had thrown him a rubber toy, Osbourne bit off the head of a live bat.

And yet the he went out of his way to say that in his personal life he said he was a Christian as we hear from an article from Charisma Magazine:

Though often criticized for dark themes in his lyrics and stage performances, including accusations of promoting occultism, Osbourne repeatedly distanced himself from such claims and professed belief in God.

“I’m a Christian. I was christened as a Christian. I used to go to Sunday school,” he said in a 2014 interview with The Guardian. He also told The New York Times in 1992 that he was “a practicing member of the Church of England” and prayed before every concert. Despite these comments, Osbourne’s lyrics and image often clashed with traditional Christian values. He acknowledged this tension, once stating, “I am not a devil-worshipper. I have never been involved in black magic,” in an attempt to correct the public narrative surrounding his persona.

Another report says an evangelist shared the gospel with him two weeks before he died, gave him a Bible and said this:

“The Holy Spirit was drawing him,” the post reads, suggesting a spiritual openness in the final days of the singer’s life.

The Hulkster Got Baptized

The eternal fate of Hulk Hogan might be a little easier to figure out as this article tells us:

So, did Hulk Hogan believe in God? The answer is yes. Before he passed away, Hogan made his views on God and religion very clear. He and his wife, Sky Daily, were actually baptized just 18 months before he died.

And Hogan posted on social media this:

In a post on X in December 2023, Hogan made his belief in God and Jesus clear, stating, "Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life. No worries, no hate, no judgment… only love!"

In that same post, Hogan shared a video featuring moments of him being baptized with his wife, Sky Daily. In the video, he's seen going underwater, and the group around them bows their heads in prayer after the ceremony takes place.

As if that wasn’t enough he posted this as well:

In another post on X that same year, he stated to his followers, "I accepted Christ as my savior at 14 yrs old, and the training, prayers and vitamins kept me in the game."

"But now that I am one with God, the main event theme of surrender, service and love makes me the Real Main Event that can slam any giant of any size through the power of my Lord and Savior and so it is, even now brother, AMEN!" he added.

With these pieces of evidence we can say he certainly was outspoken about his faith and if his heart was changed by Jesus, he’s in a far better place now. But how can we be totally certain?

And About Malcom-Jamal Warner

I was able to find one source that suggests he was a Christian as we read this:

In conclusion, the subject of Malcolm-Jamal Warner religion points unequivocally to a deep and personal commitment to Christianity. His was not a faith of loud proclamations or rigid dogma, but one characterized by a profound, internal relationship with Jesus Christ. This spiritual journey manifested publicly through his consistent advocacy for compassion, humility, and love—values he directly attributed to Christ’s teachings. Warner masterfully navigated the complexities of modern belief, maintaining a critical yet appreciative stance toward organized religion and the Black Church, while holding firm to the core tenets of the Gospel and the concept of salvation through Christ. His life and words leave a legacy of authentic spirituality, demonstrating how a Christ-centered faith can serve as a quiet, powerful guide for a life of integrity, purpose, and grace, even amidst the glare of public life.

Another source noted this about:

In recent years, Warner also opened up about his spiritual journey, sharing his Christian faith with quiet conviction. He posted on social media about trusting in Christ and emphasized the importance of treating others well, rooted in Christ’s teachings. In 2016, he became an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church, and he often discussed the need for compassion, redemption, and grace. Warner once said he believed that “good works without Christ are meaningless” and that “God is love, not a dictator.”

This all sounds good but being ordained in the Universal Life Church is a tad troubling as we’re told in an article from gotquestions.org concerning universalism which that church teaches:

Universalism is the belief that everyone will be saved. There are many people today who hold to universal salvation and believe that all people eventually end up in heaven. Perhaps it is the thought of men and women living a life of eternal torment in hell that causes some to reject the teaching of Scripture on this issue. For some it is an over-emphasis on the love and compassion of God—and the neglect of the righteousness and justice of God—that leads them to believe God will have mercy on every living soul. But the Scriptures do teach that some people will spend eternity in hell.

If Warner adhered to this we can’t say he was saved by grace when he died. What are we to do?

Only God Knows The Heart

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at the way he looks on the outside or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. For the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. A man looks at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7, NLV)

We can debate and debate over the spiritual state of anyone when they die. And we might be right as in the case of Hulk Hogan, but ultimately only God knows the spiritual state of a person as the moment of their death. In the verse above many thought that one of brothers Jesse brought to the prophet Samuel would be a perfect choice for the next king of Israel, but Samuel rejected them all based on what God told him before they all came before him. It wasn’t until Samuel asked to see the one son not in the proverbial lineup that the prophet got God’s approval. God knew David’s heart. In another example from Jeremiah 17:9-10 we see this:

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things.

I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.” (MSG)

I could cite more verses like Luke 16:15 where Jesus condemns the Pharisees or Acts 15:8 where Peter noted that God poured out the Holy Spirit because of the condition of their hearts. The point is that only God can know if someone is in Heaven of Hell. Idle chatter on social media criticizing people saying kind words about Ozzy Osbourne or anyone is pure speculation and a waste of time. Even the glowing words about Hulk Hogan dying as a Christian are just the same regardless of his public statements. We simply don’t know. And we can’t pray them into Heaven after they’ve died, like some think. We need to leave such matter in God’s hands.

Two Last Things

First we should take stock of how many people we tell about Jesus and His saving grace before they die. Since we can’t know the condition of their hearts after they go into eternity we certainly can do everything we can to get them the truth of the Gospel while they’re still alive. What they do with it is up to them. Once they die we should refrain from talking about whether anyone made it to Heaven or Hell. It can make for interesting conversations but it really won’t change their eternal destinies. Second, we need to control where we’re going when we die. Afterall we have free will and that issue can be resolved by us and us alone. We need to perform some internal soul searching as the Psalmist David did in Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (AMPC)

I like how a Bible study on this topic sums things up:

(David’s) prayer reflects a desire for divine examination and guidance, acknowledging God's intimate knowledge and the need for His transformative work.

So let us refrain from wondering and even publicly debating where anyone who’s died is now and instead make sure the living get an adequate chance to hear and respond to the Gospel. And then get out a mirror and make sure our eternity in Heaven is secured.