Acts 23:11-24. Back in the barracks, the Lord appears again to Paul, stands by him and says "Take courage, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome." Meanwhile, forty Jews make an oath to not eat or drink until they have killed Paul. They conspire with the chief priests and  elders to have Paul called to the council, intending to ambush him on his way there. Paul sister's son overhears the plot and tells Paul, who sends him to the tribune. On hearing this, the tribune arranges to have Paul sent that night to Felix, the governor in Caesarea, accompanied by two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearman.

Wow, the tribune is not messing around! He obviously wants to protect Paul and get him to a place where some sense might be made of all of this. Meanwhile, God once again prepares Paul for what is coming. Jesus "stood by" Paul and told him to take courage, as he would be testifying in Rome soon. I love the use of the words "stood by," as it shows that Jesus will always be at Paul's side, backing him up and helping him as necessary.

In addition to getting Paul mentally ready for what is coming, Jesus' message also brought Paul the knowledge that this chaotic situation in which he found himself will not last forever. He must have felt pretty powerless as he was unable to make any headway with the Jews and been very uncertain of what would happen next. And, unbeknownst to him (but very beknownst to God), the Jews are plotting to kill him! Without this message from the Lord, Paul would probably have been very concerned when he heard of the plot from his nephew, but because the Lord alerted him that he would testify at Rome, he was able to remain calm and participate in God's plans.

God always lets us know what we need to know, and always stands by His friends!