Gandalf at Zirak-zigil

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Dakêsîntrah

This would infer that the spirit "Gandalf" was gone forever and the spirit that replaced him as "The White" was Eru Himself. He was still Gandalf to the physical beings in Middle earth, for Gandalf was only recognizable by his physical shell.

No, I think "Gandalf" was still essentially himself as all in Middle-earth had known him in not only looks, but also personality and life-force. His spirit had left the physical world temporarily, including the "hidden" plane where the Valar and Eldar existed, and he was given by the One a second chance to accomplish his mission of bringing about the destruction of Sauron. Since the stakes had become so high, and the other Istari were no longer involved in helping the fight, Gandalf was enhanced in power and wisdom by Eru and sent back to finish things. Eru himself would not have taken such a direct role in the events in Arda. The only time we know of that he did so was during the Downfall of Númenor, and on that occasion the Valar themselves asked for Eru's intervention. There is no evidence the Valar did so upon the death of Gandalf.