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After Gandalf died of wounds sustained from his battle against a Balrog of Morgoth, he was resurrected by Illuvatar and sent back to Middle Earth, ostensibly "until my task is done", referring to his mission to defeat Sauron.

Is this resurrection permanent? That is, after Sauron's defeat and his return to Valinor, where he would probably shed his mortal form, would he remain to live among his own kin once more in his full glory as a Maiar, or will he depart from Middle Earth, the realm of the living, to return to Illuvatar's side?

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    I can't tell you. It's a secret.
    – Mithical
    Commented Feb 8, 2017 at 12:12
  • @Mithrandir That may be the best answer ;)
    – Mithoron
    Commented Feb 8, 2017 at 22:02

1 Answer 1

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Olorin was only on Middle Earth embodied as a Man, when he first "Died" he would've returned to Valinor, and then been taken out of the realms of the world (If that's what happened).

We know that originally, the Istari were embodied and incarnated. This gave them physical bodies vulnerable to pain, etc.:

For with the consent of Eru they [the Valar] sent members of their own high order, but clad in bodies of as of Men, real and not feigned, but subject to the fears and pains and weariness of earth, able to hunger and thirst and be slain; though because of their noble spirits they did not die, and aged only by the cares and labours of many long years.

Unfinished Tales Part 4 Chapter II: "The Istari"

By 'incarnate' I mean [the Istari] were embodied in physical bodies capable of pain, and weariness, and of afflicting the spirit with physical fear, and of being 'killed', though supported by the angelic spirit they might endure long, and only show slowly the wearing of care and labour.

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien 156: To Robert Murray, SJ (Draft). 4 November 1954

We know that the Maiar do not necessarily possess a physical form, however can wear it as a raiment. This would imply that when Gandalf the White returned to Valinor, and his power was restored (the loss of power is discussed later), he would regain his spiritual form and would only take physical form if necessary.

[T]heir shape comes of their knowledge of the visible World, rather than of the World itself; and they need it not, save only as we use raiment, and yet we may be naked and suffer no loss of our being.
The Silmarillion I Ainulindalë

The Istari's memory of the Blessed Realm seems to imply that although their embodied as Men, their Maiar spirit (Fëa) remains within. This causes them to long for Valinor and stick true to their task (which we could see from Saruman's death).

[T]hough they knew whence they came the memory of the Blessed Realm was to them a vision from afar off, for which (so long as they remained true to their mission) they yearned exceedingly. Thus by enduring of free will the pangs of exile and the deceits of Sauron they might redress the evils of that time.
Unfinished Tales Part 4 Chapter II: The Istari

In conclusion, if Gandalf (Olorin) was removed from Time, it was simply for Eru to strengthen him, and when he returned after defeating Sauron would return to being the Maiar Olorin.

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  • Sorry for the slightly rushed answer, I'll keep improving it later
    – Edlothiad
    Commented Feb 8, 2017 at 14:03

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