Anonymous
Perhaps God had this concept in mind when He created angels and later on, humankind. He bestowed on these two beings the gift of free will. They could choose whether or not to return His love and obey His commands or to follow their own inclinations and try to obtain a more desirable existence.
God has created many magnificent wonders. We cannot imagine the splendor of heaven, but we can sense a dim reflection of its glory in a snow-capped mountain peak, a brilliant sunset, or a perfectly-formed rosebud. Although all of these give God glory by their very existence, none of them can return His love.
The angels were another story. They were very beautiful, knowledgeable and able to enjoy the perfection of heaven. Unfortunately, for some this wasn't enough. Lucifer and his cohorts chose to rebel against their Creator and were banished from the heavenly realm by Michael and the God's loyal legions.
Did God know when He created them that some of the angels would rebel? Certainly.
Why then, did He bother to create them at all?
Could it have been to give Michael and the others a chance to choose? In the perfection of heaven, there would have been few temptations to sin. Lucifer himself was the originator of temptation. He prided himself on being equal to or greater than God. He tried to effect a coup in heaven. The others had to choose whom to follow. Who would lead them, God or Lucifer? We know the rest of the story.
Humanity came next. We don't get a chance to experience heaven immediately, as did the angels. The war in heaven was probably extremely horrific, and one was enough. Nevertheless, God gave us a beautiful planet to inhabit.
Now, we are tempted by Lucifer, currently called Satan, and his fallen comrades, by others of our own species, by the temporary pleasures of the world, and by our own fallen human nature. Just Does God know when He creates us that many of us will rebel? Certainly.
Why then does He bother to create those who will eventually choose evil?
There is pleasure in creating something beautiful, and little children are beautiful. Also, consider the people who labor for hours constructing elaborate sand castles which will disappear with the incoming tide, or sparkling ice sculptures which will melt with the next warm breeze.
It may also be that the less-than-noble among us will give others opportunities to reject sin and choose to do good. Have you ever been tempted to join a mob, or to riot, by those hell-bent on causing unrest and destruction?
Have you been tempted to spread gossip which may or may not be true, but is too good to keep to yourself? Many times we are tempted to sin by others.
As God creates humans, He knows their ultimate destiny. Yet, He deliberately sets them free from compulsory love and obedience to Him. He gives them free will.
Those who choose to love and obey are truly His, and will be happy in heaven forever with Him.
Those who choose to hate and disobey were never really His, and will receive eternal punishment.
It can never be said that God "sent" anyone to hell. Our destination is determined by our own free will. Each of us is given a fair chance to choose the better way.
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