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I have been asked this question many times and I always struggle to answer it:

If God knew that Satan would cause so much trouble in the world, why did He create him? I understand that you might say this is equivalent with how God created us although He knew that we would sin, but we do not sin to the same extent as Satan. God had to hold Satan back due to the temptation and trouble he was causing, and there is even a time where He will let him go. So, why did He go through all this trouble and create him? Satan is practically the core of evil in this world.

God did not create Satan. He created an archangel and gave him freewill by which he rebelled against God and became Satan (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-18). Only humans and angels amongst all of God's creation were given free will. Angels and humans were given a set of guidelines and boundaries in which they could exercise their free will. Because angels are illumined spirits, they are not subjected to death. Thus, no plan for their salvation was considered. Once they erred, they became demons and were rejected from the presence of God.

In a homily by Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite on the Monday of the Holy Pascha, he reminds us that angels were assigned to each person from baptism until death. These angels give an account by day and by night of this person. Furthermore he states, "Rather angels are servants installed by the Creator of the universe for those who will inherit the salvation."

Humanity is a vulnerable creation, and in reality, humans are particles of dust but immensely loved by God as His own children. Strength and beauty are from God, who fashioned us by His life-giving breath and in His own image and likeness. Breathing life into Adam, God gave life to all humanity. Thus, in Adam, we all inhaled God's breath. Likewise, in Adam, we all sinned and were sentenced to the same life among thorns and thistles that sprouted after Adam and Eve's exile. Along with our father Adam, we took of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Thus, we must live life with the threat of Satan posing various evils, pride, and temptations, which we must reject and overcome. The Holy Mysteries of the Church help us reject sin and unite with God. Christ Jesus became sin and a curse for the world that He might offer His righteousness to the world. Satan's purpose actually serves mankind in overcoming sin and tribulations through Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

This section on the SUS Diocese website is on the Orthodox Faith and provides many lectures on soteriology:

http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/orthodox-faith/soteriology/