It was a small fraternal group in Europe that competed against Masonry in the late 1700s. Their objective was to be politically active and to direct or affect political change. It is said that they had a hand in the French Revolution of the 1790s, but their candidate did not prevail, and by the early to mid-1800s the movement had died out.
The name resurfaced but it's not the original illuminate, the illuminate we hear of today refers to a shadow government which I believe has been active in the last century, distracting us with wars and liberalism -that came quick in the midst and has definitely conjured over the western world a hostile anti-christian movement unawares.
I simply refer to it as the 'devils movement' and if it were drawn out long enough it might have been detected sooner... but the devil is sneaky, came quick, and the world may have fallen in favor to the likes of Cain but the elect of God are always bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to expose evil corruption.
I do believe that the antichrist is hiding behind curtains just waiting for his call... as soon as Christianity falls asleep it will leave the Jewish and the Muslim world expecting a "messiah" to appear in the Holy Land... which has been prophesied.
The devil conspires against us but it is no "conspiracy" to Gods elect at all, stay vigilant and expose evils as the word says.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
-Ephesians 6:12-13