***It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.***
Perhaps this is one of the author's "imperfect" statements. [see: 2 Maccabees 15:38,39]
***As for the soldiers and their idolatry, they may have repented during the battle and before their deaths ***
Is this the best argument for Purgatory? That something "may have" happened? You would gamble your eternal destiny on "may have".
What if you are wrong my friend?
What if there is no "second chance" to clean up you life?
That's not what Purgatory is for, though.