“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Matt 25:1
Notice that there is no mention of the bride! We know she exists else there would be no bridegroom.
While this story centers more on 5 foolish and 5 wise virgins, remember that the bride is also (should be) a virgin, yet she is different from the others because she is the bride.
Who is the bride?
My first response is the church because that is the way that I have been taught. It is the tradition that I know.
Paul said, “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Cor 11:2
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Eph 5:25-27
There is also the writing of John in Revelation; Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev 21:1-2
Now this does not say the city is the bride; it’s prepared “as” a bride adorned for her husband.
Do you think Jesus is marrying a city?