Lyric discussion by pronomono 

Cover art for Modern Jesus lyrics by Portugal. The Man

And when the wave approaches Take our ashes to the ocean Who cares if hell awaits? We're having drinks at heaven's gate

This is definitely a cult reference to the Heaven's Gate cult that committed mass suicide by drinking pineapple juice mixed with an anti-convulsant and washed down by vodka, making their asphyxiation less violent.

No he's just saying he'd rather be outside the gates of heaven having drinks with his friends then be inside with all the wet blankets