During the end-time, many will put their faith in man and make a covenant with death to avoid a scourge which in today's language could be called a pandemic or the armies of the king of Assyria. Many including the leaders in Jerusalem which represent modern day religious leaers will make a covenant with death, or modern technology instead of puting their faith in God. In verse 16 it says the people that put their faith in God will not make the decision in haste. Verse 18 says they that make the covenant will be trodden over by it, they will not survive.

Isaiah 28:14-18

14 Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. (he's talking about religious leaders in the end-time.)

15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: (pandemic is a modern word for an overflowing scourge.)

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (the foundation stone is Jesus Christ, people that put their faith in Him won't make the covenant of death.)

17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. (a plummet is a weight, usually with a pointed tip on the bottom, suspended from a string and used as a vertical reference line. The lies surrounding the religious leaders, and the overflowing scourge will be revealed.)

18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. (those that make the covenant with death by putting their faith in man will be trodden down or turned into dust.)

This video helps explain why it's not wise to put your faith in man. You've heard that money is the root of all evil...

The Covenant of Life

The answer or antidote to the covenant of death is the covenant of life. God promises life to those that repent and put their faith in Him during the end-time. He will give us an everlasting name greater than that of son or daughter! If we repent and put our faith in God, there is not reason to fear the end-time. Will it be difficult? Yes, but we have God's promise. Has life on earth ever been easy for believers in God? No!

Isaiah 1:16-17
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Isaiah 55:2-7
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (He's telling us to not waste our efforts for things of the world.)
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (We are warned to make the covenant before it's too late.)
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (The Lord asks us to repent and return to him. He promises to forigive us. )

Isaiah 56:5-7
5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. (If we keep the covenant of life we have the promise that we will live in the Lord's house with names better than sons and daughters!)
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. (For all that make the covenant of life, their sacrifices and offerings will be accepted. The Lords house is for all people.)