Why did Gandalf have a ring?

[Mänwe]

My take on the subject of the Ring in connection to Imperishable flame is in agreement to narfforc's.

1. The Flame Imperishable is with Iluvatar- it is the divine spark through which and by which he creates:

"'He {Melkor} had often gone into the void places seeking the Imperisahble Flame: for desire grew hot within him to bring into Being things of his own, and it semed to him taht Iluvatar took no thought of the Void, and he was impatient of its emptiness. Yet he found not the Fire, for it is with Iluvatar." The Silmarillion

2. The Flame Imperishable is also known as the Secret Fire.

3. Gandalf is a servant of the Secret Fire- a servant of Iluvatar serving light.

4. Anor means 'sun' in Sindarin and sun equals light. Gandalf is making a reinforcing statement ' wielder of the flame of Anor' - and saying that he is a servant of Iluvatar and wields the flame of light.

5. The light - which is creative because it comes from Iluvatar combats the dark which is destructive and comes from Morgoth and his succesors. Gandalf represents light and creation in this battle- the flame of Anor- the fire of creation- which contrast with the Balrog- the flame of Udun (Udun was the first stronghold of Morgoth) the fire of destruction.