gop_jeff said:There are so many interpretations of those churches...
The first interpretation of the seven churches (see Revelation 1-3) is that they were seven real churches in Asia Minor, and the letters addressed those churches at that time only. While principles in those letters apply to Christians throughout history (warning against being lukewarm, Jesus standing at the door and knocking, etc.), there is no correspondence to the future state of the Church. This tends to be my viewpoint.
A second interpretation is that the seven churches represent seven different phases in church history. According to this take, we are currently in the fifth, sixth, or seventh phase, depending on who you ask. My only problem with this is that in Rev. 4:1, an angel tells John that he is going to see the things that take place after this. So I don't really see how the church's history - all in the future at this point - would be told before this statement.
A third interpretation is that the seven churches are seven manifestations of the Church at the time of Christ's return. While I think that many denominations or congregations may display the traits associated with the seven churches in Revelation, I don't think that's the primary interpretation.
Does that answer your question?
Thanks, Jeff. That clears a few things up for me.