ANSWER:
The seven churches of Asia are the seven periods of church history before Jesus returns.
Revelation:1:19-20
19: Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20: The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Jesus clearly says that John would write the things he had seen(past),and the things that are(present),and the things which shall be(future) right before he goes on to speak of the churches.
We currently live in the last period which is the Laodicean church.
For further study,please read the book(which I have provided a link to)"Daniel and the Revelation"by Uriah Smith.
Some recommended books on the seven churches of Revelation include "The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting" by Colin J. Hemer, "The Seven Churches of Asia" by W. M. Ramsay, and "The Seven Churches of Revelation" by David L. Barr.
The 7 Churches mentioned in Revelation were within a transportation network (mail route) in Asia Minor. Today, this is Turkey.
The seven churches Rev.1:20.
The seven literal churches addressed in Revelation 2-3 are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
John addressed the book of Revelation to seven churches in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
In the book of Revelation, the seven churches mentioned faced different challenges and were given specific messages by Jesus. Some were commended for their faithfulness, while others were warned to repent. The fate of these churches is not explicitly stated in the text, but the messages serve as lessons for all churches to heed.
The seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation faced various challenges and were given messages by Jesus through the apostle John. Some of the churches were commended for their faithfulness, while others were warned to repent and change their ways. Over time, these churches either declined or disappeared, but their messages and lessons continue to be relevant for Christians today.
Pure Bible Study - 2010 Revelation 1 The Holy Spirit and the Seven Churches was released on: USA: 5 January 2011
In the King James versionseveral mentions are made of "the seven churches which are in Asia"....Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
The exact number of churches that the Apostle Paul started is not known, but he is associated with founding several churches in the Mediterranean region, including churches in Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, and Thessalonica. These churches were established during his missionary journeys to spread the teachings of Christianity.
The seven stars represent the seven pastors or preachers or whatever you like to call them, of the seven churches that he talks about in Revelation
Your answer is provided in Revelation 1 and 2,Christ explains your question so I will not attempt to add to his explanationRevelation 1: 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.