So what you’re saying is in the past there are events that are greater in scope as far as death and physical destruction than the Matthew 24 tribulation because they are wrath not tribulation. If this is the case then the great tribulation could end up being mild in comparison.
I guess it could be kinda like saying I had the greatest hang nail ever and there will never be a hang nail like it ever again. But when compared to something like a heart attack it is mild.
What I am saying is, events such as Noah's flood affected pretty much everyone on the planet while great tribulation will only be affecting the church, thus not everyone on the planet. Per my view great tribulation parallels the time of the 42 month reign of the beast. It will be those that refuse to worship the beast that it will then be difficult to survive during these times. Look at Revelation 13. Those worshiping the beast during it's reign have no cares in the world. The beast isn't making war with them and killing any of them, it's making war with the saints and killing many of them.
Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
The elect meant here is not meaning unbelieving Jews, it is meaning the church. IOW, it is for the church's sake these days will be shortened, otherwise there will be no Christians remaining alive because the beast will have managed to wipe them all off the face of the planet eventually.