genuine repentance would be necessary for him to get off the hook, if what i believe is true. but would that be enough? if stalin had found religion right at the end, would he find peace in Heaven?
Only God knows the heart and if the repentance and belief is true.
I’ve always wondered about that myself. All those “deathbed confessions” and the sort. I do believe - dependent upon the person, and what is in their heart - that to live a life of sin and then ask for forgiveness right before death doesn’t necessarily get someone “off the hook” so to speak. Like you mentioned GENUINE repentance is one thing. I think when one is faced with death the fear may interfere with the “genuine” part...
I’m just glad it’s God who knows us inside and out is the one to judge. We can speculate on this all we want but when it comes down to it, only He knows really... Better not to wait - after all, not everyone knows when their time is almost up...