I also heard a similar story from somebody near me, so I believe your story.
According to this person, we live more than 1 time on earth and each time you die, you reincarnate in somebody else and get to be someone better, with more wisdom etc.
One day you reincarnated enough get pure , at this point you became nearly a saint and when this would life ends you would get to stay in heaven.
It's a funny point of view, but who knows if its true, I dont know the bible since I never really read it, maybe it's in it.