How Extensive were Gandalf's powers?

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bloody.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: How Extensive were Gandalf's powers?

The light of Aman, lindil, was the light of the trees which only existed in the Earendal's (sp) star (Simaril) during the third age. I imagine that Olorin had seen the light but that was long before he came to ME the first time as Gandalf.
I do not feel that Gandalfs death/rebirth gives him that much more power.
The book says Gandalf dies and is reborn but I feel Gandalf only uses these analogies to get around a long and needless explaination of his true form and origin. He probably did pass away like Sauron did when Luth. and Beren defeated him.The Valar and Maiar could cast of there forms which copyed the children of Ilvatar like clothes. He then passed back to Valinor as a spirit where he probably reported to the Valar. After he returns he finally acts openly in to take down Sauron. The LT of Bradbadur even says the greyfool has often snuck around behind our back but has stuck his nose out to far this time. Gandalf was forsighted and knew that when he returned it was time to show his true power.(he may have spoken with Mandos of Nienna in Valinor) Because He did not seem like a threat until he returns from the west Gandalf was able to do things like become friends with the rangers and hobbits. It just another case of the weak succeeding where the wise have failed.(ex Hobbits bring down Sauron instead of Elves of Numenoreans) Sauraman was supposed to be the strongest. He opposed Sauron longer, but he failed. Gandalf held the greater power, like the hobbits had the greater will and thus good carry the ring longer, Gandalf just hid it. Then when it counted He was unviel in the end. The grey fog lifted to show his true self that he fufilled his mission and raised all of the children against the darkness

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