Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-26119768-20170222024948/@comment-26347028-20170223223020

Recneps wrote: Sauron didn't directly stay in the world because of his ring, though it may have had some part in the preservation of his power after his physical body was destroyed. His ring did not amplify him in any way when it was not on his finger. The only effect the ring has is amplifying his power when worn, and reducing it when destroyed. Also, Saruman was corrupted much later than the Balrogs, and was sent by the Valar to do a specific task. In my mind, it makes more sense that they'd recall him for judgment than them recalling Balrogs, who were corrupted long ago. Additionally, you say that the 3 Balrogs we know were killed, obviously did not go to Utumno. And whyever not? I know this is a bit late, but his ring contained a large portion of his spirit. For Elves and Ainur, their spirit and bodies are separate, and while there are many ways of separating these, the spirits are weakened each time they do, to eventual nothingness, unless they can go to a higher power. This, to me, is why the Elves dwindle. Their spirits continue to weaken, and while they can be reborn after they go to Mandos, I believe this too weakens them.

However, Sauron's spirit could not actually be destroyed, since large parts of it were in the One Ring, hence the Ring could have easily been a large part of what tied him to Arda.