"If I speak in the tongues of angels…" (1Cor13) refers to the One who leads the heavenly assembly of angels and people. This assembly, much like a parliament, discusses how God's rule in heaven applies to people on earth.
Continuing this metaphor, the "tongues of angels" can be seen as the language of leadership and governance in this divine assembly. It's a mode of communication that transcends human understanding, yet is deeply intertwined with the principles of justice, mercy, and love that underpin God's kingdom. Therefore, when leaders on earth seek to speak in these "tongues," they are striving to embody and enact these heavenly values in their own contexts of influence.
This embodiment of heavenly values is not a call to perfection, but a pursuit of integrity and authenticity. It's about making decisions that reflect mercy, enacting policies that promote justice, and leading in a manner that is steeped in love. When leaders make mistakes, as all humans do, the "tongues of angels" also speak the language of humility and repentance. They acknowledge their errors, make amends, and strive to do better, all the while upholding the values they seek to embody.
Therefore, the "tongues of angels" is not just about what leaders say, but how they say it and what they do about it. It's about leading with a vision that is informed by the divine perspective, communicating in a way that inspires others to pursue this vision, and living out the vision in a way that is tangible and transformative. In this way, leaders on earth can truly speak in the "tongues of angels," bringing a foretaste of God's heavenly kingdom to the here and now.