[Child of the 7th Age]

I wonder if it is Gandalf's power that has changed. Pehaps not. Perhaps it is merely the instructions that govern the use of that power.

Before his transformation, and this is also from Letter 156, Gandalf had been under the obligation to achieve change primarily by teaching and inspiring the inhabitants of Middle-earth. When Tolkien says this, I have a clear image in my head of Gandalf sitting beside Frodo and talking to him about Gollum and the need for mercy. But after Illuvatar sends him back as Gandalf the White, he has a new freedom to act and use his inherent Maia powers.

Tolkien states that, "where the physical powers of the Enemy are too great for the good will of the opposers to be effective", Gandalf can now "act in emergency as an 'angel'. He seldom does this. However, his rescues of Faramir and his willingness to forbid the entrance of the Lord of Nazgul to Minas Tirith after the gates have been broken are such examples (Even though in the latter situation, such a battle never occurs since human resistence carries the day.)
sharon, the 7th age hobbit