Also in that chapter, in verse 21-22, it says:
"
21For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again.
22If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short."
Tribulation unmatched since the beginning of the world is a prerequisite for that verse. If the great flood in the days of Noah wiped out the earth, save eight people, what do you propose the event was that was unmatched since the beginning of the world?
Well I think we should see what the text actually says and not add our own ideas to it.
In context:
15“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
17Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house,
18and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.
19And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!
20Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.
21For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.
22And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
23Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.
24For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
25See, I have told you beforehand.
26So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
27For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
28Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
Okay it says, in the context of Jesus warning THESE PEOPLE to watch for these things, His recorded words are "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.", can we pull "worst even in history, body count wise, destruction wise, in any quantifiable way"? form such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now", it just says it's unlike anything that has happen or ever would. I wasn't there of course, but have you read some of the extra biblical, historical accounts of the sacking of Jerusalem? Mothers eating and trying to share their cooked babies, the streets literally flowing with blood. The Jews put up one hell of a fight to the last man defending the temple, but it was Gods judgement they were fighting. Have you read about that? The Romans were VERY VERY crazed with rage and anger when they finally broke them. They were so mad about the EXTENSIVE losses they sustained, and the shear amount of humiliation they had endured at the hand of the Jew protecting Jerusalem, when they finally made it through there was unbelievable horror and death when judgement fell on those very same Jews that cried "Let His blood be on us and on our children", when Pilate tried to reason for Jesus life years earlier, then washed his hands of it. (which was just as weak in itself)
So honestly I don't see the same meaning in it that you do really.