Actually, a close examination of the scriptures that use Alpha and Omega show that it is used only of the God and Father of Jesus, and not of Jesus. I have written several studies on this:
Both expressions as applied to Yahweh and Jesus mean the first and last of something, but what is being described is not necessarily the same. In an earlier post, and on the RL website, I discussed some of the applications of "the first and the last". Yahweh is the first and the last of all who have never been created. In this sense, there was no idol god formed by man before his existence, since he has always existed. Likewise, no idol-god can be formed after him, for he will always exist.
Jesus, however, in the context of the expression as he applies to himself in Revelation 1:18,17 and Revelation 2:8, appears to be speaking of his being the first and the last to have been raised from death to life, to live forever, as the firstborn from the dead. (Revelation 1:5) Not only is he the only firstborn, he also the first and last of the last of those who are directly raised by Yahweh, since all others are raised "through" him.
There are some various interpretations of what Jesus is saying here but if you go back to where the dialogue starts in verse 9 it sets the picture of what John is seeing and hearing. God has set Jesus as Ruler and Lord, he nows controls the future of us all as Believers. Jesus watches over us as his Father watched over the Chosen People, Israel.
There is a similarity to Isaiah 41:4 and 44:6, perhaps a quote. In John 5 is where Jesus states that the powers and authority of God are now passed onto the Son. 1Cor.15:27,28 confirm this. Beyond the 1000 year Millennium the Son will return to kingdom back to his Father per the Scriptures.
Rev.1:18 shows how the Son is different than the Father in that he dies and is resurrected, this alone shows a difference in the application of Isa.41:4. Jesus now raised to ever lasting life holds the keys to death and hades as John 5 also tells us.
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