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Originally Posted by TheLostPilgrim
1) If Gandalf was put into a situation where he was face to face with Sauron, would it have been permitted by Eru/The Valar, for him to uncloak himself and use the full might of his power, as we got an inkling of in his battle with the Balrog? Would that have been an acceptable time for him to "lift the veil" of Gandalf and allow the power of Olorin to be in full might?
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I do not think so. I seem to recall that it was not their mission to battle Sauron like that. Remember, the Valar were wary of an all out, no holds barred Maia vs. Maia type of war since battles like that tended to reshape the world. The Istari were sent to rally the free peoples of the world to fight this battle. They were:
"bidden to advise and persuade Men and Elves to good, and to seek to unite in love and understanding all those whom Sauron... would endeavor to dominate and corrupt." [UT, The Istari, p. 406]
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Originally Posted by TheLostPilgrim
2) Could Gandalf "uncloaked" have defeated Sauron?
I ask since, technically speaking, Gandalf and Sauron are kin; Both Maiar, and thus both of the same kind and (theoretically) strength. Gandalf was one of the people of Manwe, who is equal in strength to Morgoth, whom Sauron served--This too would seem as evidence that Gandalf and Sauron were "on equal footing" so to speak.
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I do not think Gandalf could have defeated Sauron. I think the Istari themselves were lesser in power as the Maia were supposed to be to the Valar. There is mention of the Valar sending a lesser spirit, Eonwe, to deal with Melkor, just as now they sent lesser spirits to deal with Sauron. Gandalf himself says, "I am Gandalf, Gandalf the White, but Black is mightier still." [TTT, ch. 5 p. 123] And this is after he beat the Balrog of Moria which Gandalf supposes anyone who saw it would have;
"thought that the mountain was crowned with storm. Thunder they heard, and lightning, they said, smote upon Celebdil, and leapt back broken into tongues of fire. Is that not enough? A great smoke rose about us, vapour and steam. Ice fell like rain." [ p. 125]
It's like the meeting of two fronts.