Arcana Coelestia #25
25. 'Spreading out the earth and stretching out the heavens' is a common expression in the Prophets when the subject is man's regeneration, as in Isaiah,
Thus said Jehovah, your Redeemer, He who formed you from the womb, I am Jehovah who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens Alone, and who spreads out the earth by Myself. Isaiah 44:24.
Also, when it is speaking of the Lord's Coming,
A bruised reed He does not break off and a smoking wick He does not quench; He brings forth judgement towards truth; that is, He neither shatters man's illusions nor stifles his desires. Instead He bends them towards truth and good. This verse in Isaiah continues,
The God Jehovah creates the heavens and stretches them out: He spreads out the earth and what comes from it: He gives breath 1 to the people upon it, and spirit to those who walk on it. Isaiah 42:3-5.
Such phrases recur several times elsewhere.
Footnotes:
1. literally, soul
Fly
To fly, and go forth abroad, as in Genesis 39:12, signifies that separation was made, or that there was no longer anything common. To fly, when related to the Lord, also signifies omnipresence.
To fly from the face of any one, as in Genesis 16:6, signifies indignation.
To fly, and to fall, as in Genesis 14:10, signifies to be conquered.
To fly, as in Psalm 18:11, signifies to enlighten the middle heaven. To fly, when spoken of the Lord, signifies to foresee and to provide.
To fly, as a cloud, and as doves to their windows, as in Isaiah 60:7, 8, signifies inquiry and investigation into truth, from the literal sense of the Word.
To fly, in the midst of heaven, as in Revelation 8:13, signifies to instruct and foretell.
(References: Apocalypse Revealed 244; Revelation 12, 12:14, Revelation 14)