New Jerusalem as bride
Here’s what it means
The holy city represents the glorified covenant people dwelling with God, adorned like a bride.
Why the Bible says it this way
In a prophecy or vision, an object or scene can stand for something else. The surrounding passage often explains the picture.
A helpful detail: The angel says he will show the bride and then shows the city. The vision may also describe a real future city; the corporate symbolism should not erase its promised reality.