What does the phrase "Better once in heaven than ten times at the gate." mean?

If you're stand at the gate, you're waiting to get in. So you've been waiting 10 times , which means the gates of heaven won't allow you to enter because you are not ready. Better once in heaven means that you got into heaven on the first try, which means you're a well-rounded individual ready to enter heaven.

Basically it's saying if you're not a good person , then you'll be waiting at heaven's gate until you get your life right. That's what I'm inferring

10 times at the gate means you did not get your life right; 10 times over. You keep going back. Reincarnation. Worse; once at the gate, and straight to the lake of fire.